O'Connell out for six weeks

RUGBY: Paul O'Connell will be out of commission for six weeks after breaking a hand in Munster's narrow victory over Llanelli in a Celtic League match at Musgrave Park last weekend.

The Lions and Ireland secondrow broke a bone in his left thumb and has had it immobilised in plaster, a cast that will stay on for the next two weeks.

O'Connell underwent X-rays last Saturday that failed to show any fracture. He was examined again on Monday and, following an MRI scan, was referred to an orthopaedic specialist. The surgeon will later reappraise the damage and offer a more definitive timescale for a return to competition.

The initial prognosis is that he could be sidelined for six weeks, thereby missing Munster's opening two games in the Heineken European Cup.

Munster are away to Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park on Friday, October 21st, on the opening weekend of European competition and then eight days later entertain Castres Olympique at Thomond Park.

Providing the injury heals as envisaged, O'Connell should be available for Ireland's opening match in the November series, against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, November 12th.

The injury is a significant blow to the province given O'Connell's obvious quality, amply demonstrated in the Llanelli game.

Munster are, however, fortunate to have real depth at lock, with three other internationals vying for places: Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll and Trevor Hogan, the latter having made his debut in Ireland's summer tour to Japan.

On the theme of international summer assignments, Ireland will send a development squad to compete in next June's Churchill Cup. The venue for the tournament will be either Ottawa or San Francisco.

The USA, Canada, New Zealand Maoris, England A and Ireland A have already accepted invitations to participate and there will be one other country added to the tournament, probably Wales A.

Given the presence of the Maoris and England A the Irish are going to have to take some lumps, but it will offer a proving ground for potential internationals.

Ireland's senior team will tour Australia and New Zealand, playing three Tests in the same month, so the team that travels to the Churchill Cup will certainly be a development side.

Ireland's participation in this tournament will be given added resonance after next year when the Under-21 World Championship moves from its current annual staging to every two years.

Next year's event is to be staged in France, where they will be taking the opportunity to use venues and infrastructure as a dress rehearsal for the 2007 World Cup.

The next staging of the Under-21 World Championship would take place in 2008, thereby leaving Ireland's participation in the 2007 Churchill Cup as the only competitive outlet for promising young players to be tested outside of the regular rugby calendar.