HEINEKEN CUP:THERE WAS mixed news for Munster yesterday with confirmation that while Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling should both be fit for their semi-final clash against Biarritz on May 2nd, doubts remain over Paul O'Connell who is laid low with a groin injury.

Howlett (hamstring) and fellow winger Dowling (knee) both picked up knocks against Northampton at the weekend but scan results have shown the injuries were not as bad as first feared, and Munster chiefs are confident that both will make a quick recovery.

Denis Hurley, also, is making good progress following the hamstring injury sustained against Glasgow three weeks ago, and could make a return to training as early as next week.

While it is hoped O’Connell will be available for the trip to San Sebastian, it’s still too early to determine how his groin will respond to an extended period of rest.

Team manager Shaun Payne said, “The big goal for us now is the semi-final and to have everyone fit for that. Obviously we would want to get Paul on the pitch before then. But it is an injury that needs rest and we’ll be taking that into account over the next few weeks leading up to the semi-final.

“I’d love to be able to say yes he we will be okay. But it’s not a broken arm or something where there is a defined recovery period.

“With a groin injury, you just cannot predict with it. It can flare up just like that and it can settle down, so at the minute we’re just playing a waiting game.”

Meanwhile, Keith Earls suffered no ill-effects to his own groin strain after his exertions last Saturday, though Tony McGahan has yet to decide whether he will be risked for this weekend’s clash against Connacht at the Sportsground.

With the game against Biarritz less than three weeks away, it’s thought likely Munster will rest up some of their key players between now and then and juggle their resources for the trip to Galway.

According to Payne: “Obviously the temptation is there to pick your frontline XV and play them in every single game.

“But we need to recognise the fact that we’ve won the game at the weekend. We have a semi-final and some vital Magners League games coming up, and we don’t know what is going to happen after that.

“Whilst I’d love to say we’ll play a full XV in every game that’s not going to happen. I don’t know how we’re going to balance the books but we have to do it some way.”

Nevertheless, Munster will head to Connacht keen to settle a score after their defeat in last season’s corresponding fixture.

Michael Bradley’s side are unbeaten at home since last September, however, and Payne accepts Munster will have their work cut out against the in-form Westerners.

“It’s Connacht at the Sportsground, which is a very close game every year,” he says. “Obviously we came a cropper there last year. If you look at their recent form, they have been outstanding, the best I’ve seen them play since I’ve been here.

“They were excellent against Leinster and possibly deserved to win that game in the end, and obviously did brilliantly to come through last weekend. At the Sportsground they are never, ever a pushover. Add on to that their form and it’s a formidable task.”

Payne also admits the Munster camp is in high spirits following their euphoric win against Northampton but insists they we be focused for their trip to Galway.

“We’re all obviously left with a very good feeling after the win and the manner of the win,” he says.

“But the group of players that we have here have been through this many times over the last couple of years and are experienced enough to know that you can come off a great win like that and then head to the Sportsground and be handed a real beating if you’re not careful.

“We still have that nice fuzzy warm feeling at the minute, but we’ll be refocused and fully ready to go.”