O'Driscoll: Believes he will be fit

The Leinster centre was forced to sit out 20-9 defeat by England at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday with a shoulder injury.

So far O'Driscoll has played just 80 minutes of rugby in the build-up to the World Cup, but he believes he will be cleared to face the USA in New Plymouth.

"The shoulder feels okay. I was training away earlier, though granted we didn't do too much contact," he said.

"The more rest time I get, the better. At this moment in time I don't see any reason why I won't be playing against the USA."

O'Driscoll's centre partner Gordon D'Arcy will join up with the squad in Queenstown on Monday after his departure from Dublin was delayed on medical advice.

D'Arcy sustained a calf injury in training prior to departure and his availability for the USA match will be assessed once he rejoins the squad.

But although the chances of prop Cian Healy (eye socket) returning in time look bleak, full-back Rob Kearney (groin) is on course to make the World Cup opener.

Ireland touched down in New Zealand on Thursday after completing an epic 43-hour journey that began in Dublin and featured stops in Dubai and Sydney before concluding in Queenstown.

More than 500 supporters gathered at Queenstown airport to greet the squad, who will be based in one of the country's most spectacular locations for the first week of the World Cup.

The team is training against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and O'Driscoll admits the location has been well received.

"It feels like the World Cup has really started now. Once you get on that plane the realisation sinks in a bit," he said.

"We're finally here after all the work we've done in the build-up.

"It's great to be here. It's certainly one of the more beautiful spots to be in.

"Hopefully we'll get some good work done over the next week to put ourselves in good shape for the matches."