Brian O'Driscoll's reaction says it all after Ireland's defeat by Scotland

Leinster officials are hopeful that Brian O'Driscoll will be fit for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Clermont Auvergne on 9 April.

O'Driscoll sustained a knee injury in Ireland's defeat by Scotland on Saturday and there were fears that he could be ruled out for up to six weeks.

However, following a scan the player is understood to be optimistic about his chances of playing against Clermont.

Gordon D'Arcy should be fit despite sustaining a groin injury on Saturday.

O'Driscoll's sustained medial ligament damage in Ireland's 23-20 defeat, which denied Declan Kidney's side the Triple Crown.

O'Driscoll and D'Arcy have not been included in Leinster's squad for Saturday's Magners clash against Connacht but coach Michael Cheika is playing down the concerns over the duo's fitness.

"With Brian we're targeting his return for Clermont and Gordon is pretty confident that after a five or six day rest that he could play against Munster (next week)," said Cheika.

Luke Fitzgerald is already ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during Ireland's qutumn internationals.

Cheika, hoping to guide Leinster to back-to-back Heineken Cup triumphs, will leave the Irish outfit at the end of this season to take over at French giants Stade Francais.

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