The British Lions centre has been suffering from the hamstring tear he picked up while on Heineken Cup duty for Leinster last month, but he has responded well to treatment.

Ireland coach Eddie OSullivan is desperate to include one of the worlds finest players in his starting line-up at the Stade de France and will give ODriscoll every opportunity to make the game.

OSullivan said: We always knew that Brians case was going to go down to the wire. We want to give him every chance to play but we wont take risks.

The decision will be made in the middle of next week at the earliest and Im happy to leave it that late.

Llanelli back row Simon Easterby and Munster prop Marcus Horan have shaken off their injuries and are named in the 22, but Leinster flanker Eric Miller is still in the treatment room and is ruled out.

OSullivan started this weeks five-day training session with a 34-strong squad but that has been whittled down to 22, while the side to face France in Paris will be announced next Tuesday.

Forwards: S Byrne (Leinster Blackrock College), R Corrigan (Leinster Greystones), V Costello (Leinster St Marys College), S Easterby (Llanelli), A Foley (Munster Shannon), K Gleeson (Leinster St Marys College), J Hayes (Munster Shannon), M Horan (Munster Shannon), D OCallaghan (Munster Cork Constitution), P OConnell (Munster Young Munster), M OKelly (Leinster St Marys College), F Sheahan (Munster Cork Constitution).

Backs: G Darcy (Leinster Lansdowne), G Dempsey (Leinster Terenure College), G Easterby (Rotherham), S Horgan (Leinster Lansdowne), T Howe (Ulster Dungannon), D Humphreys (Ulster Dungannon), K Maggs (Bath), B ODriscoll (Leinster Blackrock College, captain), R OGara (Munster Cork Constitution), P Stringer (Munster Shannon).