Munster have been given a massive boost ahead of their Heineken Cup clash in Paris on Saturday with news that Paul O'Connell is fit to play his first game of the season.
Having shown no ill effects from a full training session on Wednesday, the veteran lock has been named in Munster's starting XV against Racing Metro at the Stade de France.
The 2009 British & Irish Lions captain will pack down with Billy Holland in the Munster second row for what will be his first game since 5 May. He will be making his 65th Heineken Cup appearance.
"We've always maintained that Paul would be back when he felt he was ready. I think it's great for us," said Munster coach Rob Penney.
"It's great for Irish rugby, for the rugby community, to see a player of his calibre back playing again. It was a gradual process but, in the interests of the player, it had to be."
Donncha O'Callaghan failed a fitness test on Thursday and will sit out this weekend, as will Springbok loose head prop Wian du Preez, who damaged his knee against Leinster last weekend.
Comments
melkdave says...
@Norm
How is pointing out that O'Connel hasnt been rushed back being cyniclal??We have all seen how rushing players back ,can be bad for teams ,ala QC for Aiustralia in the RC.Player welfare yes .but he hasnt really been needed so far either has he.HEC just a bit different though isnt it ,his experiance ,leadership ect would be invaluble to any team .not just Munster .Have to admit the post was phased a little tongue in cheek,just see who would bite LOLCongraulations on that LOL
Posted 18:00 13th October 2012
Norm says...
Erm PR
Not much point in posting my Correction when you didnt post the original post I was correcting.
Posted 10:38 13th October 2012
Norm says...
That of course would be 'big man' not 'bug man'.
Post boozer posts....
Posted 00:14 13th October 2012
Norm says...
Cynical post Melkdave, cynical and you know it mate. Said before dont whinge because your national game doesnt have a realistic grasp on player welfare. Why not just go and continue pick Scottish and Italian pockets and hire more overseas cover players. Now if only we could work out why, England, the world's biggest playing population, had the highest number of non nationals in their national team? Hmmmmm?
Great to hear the bug man is getting back on form, Kidney could do his home province and Ireland a favour here, stick with Tuohy and Ryan as first choice 2 nd row for national team this Autumn leave POC to focus on this season at Munster until 6N and Lions come around
Posted 00:11 13th October 2012
damo says...
damo says...
We need a pro 7s team can PR run an article on how Ireland is the only country in the world almost without this and has tonns of young talent not being improved through htis means, also to confirm Darcy playing for Ireland is a joke on any form in the past 3 years, I can speak of 4 or 5 games his missed tackles or constant knock ons cost us or the fact his opponents manage 30+ tries in far less caps in their career - even Keith Wood scored more tries than him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7s team first second Kidney needs to cop the F on to himself and pick players on form and talent - use some of his sports scientists to tell him Tiernan Ohalloran is far better then Duffy for Connaught why is Duffy in any Irish squad? Sorry Gavin and Gordon but its true, for us to win we pick the best players and so far Kidney hasn't done this!!!!!!!!
Come on Ireland we could win World Cups if we got our act together!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Connaught to prove a few shocks in this years HC !!!
Jimmy mcnicoll of Canterbury in ITM cup is worlds best 15 Ireland need to contract him now and he can play for Munster (desperately need a 15) this lad is class !!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 20:36 11th October 2012
BiggyFint says...
Player welfare before money.....a foreign concept for some.
Posted 19:41 11th October 2012
KubilaKhan says...
BIG PAAAUUUULLL Paul O'Connell. He's stands 63 scrum-halves high with his feet on the ground and his head in the sky! So glad to see the big man return to the game, Munster AND Ireland are badly in need of him, and lets not forget that it's a Lions year, so he'll be playing hard. Get stuck in Paulie!
Posted 19:28 11th October 2012
melkdave says...
Not a surprise at all,after all he wasnt going to be rushed back,till he was truly needed.League doesnt matter ,as qualification s always guareented,But HEC glory well now that matters,hence POC is now needed .
Posted 18:44 11th October 2012