MAGNERS LEAGUE NEWS:EXACTLY 250 days since he last turned out on a rugby pitch, Paul O'Connell will make his long-awaited return tomorrow night when he lines out for Young Munster against Shannon in the AIL.
The former Lions captain hasn’t played competitive rugby since Ireland’s defeat against Scotland last March due to ongoing problems with his groin.
If he comes through tomorrow’s match unscathed he will come into contention for Munster’s Magners League clash against Cardiff on Saturday week.
“We’re taking it step by step,” said team manager Shaun Payne yesterday. “This weekend will be another step for Paulie and if he progresses past that Cardiff will be the next step. Obviously it’s a long time since he’s played so we’re just stepping it up gradually.
“But we’re delighted with the progress he’s making. He’s had no more set-backs over the last couple of months and his return is a good four weeks ahead of schedule.”
There was further good news for the province yesterday with Tomás O’Leary included in Tony McGahan’s 26-man squad for tomorrow’s clash against the Dragons in Wales.
The Ireland international has been out since he broke his thumb in Munster’s interprovincial clash against Leinster last month, but following an operation he is set to feature at Rodney Parade.
There is no such joy for Jerry Flannery, however, who is once again unavailable due to a calf problem. The 32-year old hooker has played just once for Munster this season – off the bench against Toulon – and Payne admits he is now a serious concern ahead of next month’s Heineken Cup double-header against the Ospreys.
“It’s definitely a concern in that this injury seems to strike at any time and we don’t know exactly what’s wrong,” he said. “It’s one of those injuries that has a mind of its own.”
Elsewhere, Lifeimi Mafi returns to the squad after serving his seven-week ban, whilst John Hayes and Johne Murphy are also included having been released by national management.
Alan Quinlan (hamstring) and Duncan Williams (ankle) are both ruled out, meaning Munster will be without 15 contracted players for tomorrow night’s game against a Dragons side who won last season’s corresponding fixture 31-22.
MUNSTER (v Dragons):Forwards: W du Preez, D Ryan, J Hayes, S Archer, P Borlase, S Henry, M Sherry, B Hayes, I Nagle, B Holland, P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, N Ronan, J Coughlan (Backs) T O'Leary, C Murray, P Warwick, S Deasy, S Tuitupou, B Murphy, L Mafi, I Dineen, T Gleeson, D Howlett, J Murphy, D Hurley.
ULSTER (squad v Treviso):Forwards: J Cronin, P McAllister, B Young, BJ Botha, N Brady, A Kyriacou, N Annett, T Barker, R Caldwell, N McComb, D Tuohy, A Birch, W Faloon, P Wannenburg, C Henry. Backs; A D'Arcy, D McIlwaine, J Smith, T Seymour, S Danielli, C Gilroy, D Cave, I Whitten, N Spence, L Marshall, I Humphreys, N O'Connor, P Marshall, I Porter
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