O’Connell Returns for Munster

Paul O’Connell will return to action for Munster when he leads the side in the Celtic League game against Connacht at Thomond Park tomorrow (Tuesday) evening (7.35pm).

Paul O’Connell will return to action for Munster when he leads the side in the Celtic League game against Connacht at Thomond Park tomorrow (Tuesday) evening (7.35pm).

O’Connell has been out of action since injuring a hand in the game against Llanelli Scarlets in Musgrave Park on September 23rd.

The Lions lock will be partnered in the second row by Trevor Hogan with Donncha O’Callaghan selected at blindside wing-forward.

With Munster facing two guelling games in the space of five days, coach Declan Kidney makes full use of his squad with 20 year old Jeremy Manning partnering 22 year old Tomas O’Leary at half back while 23 year old Barry Murphy teams up with veteran Gary Connolly in the centre.

David Wallace who has won the Man of the Match award in the last three games was ruled out of contention because of a back strain.

Munster: S Payne; A Pitout, B Murphy, G Connolly, A Horgan; J Manning, T O’Leary; F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, J Hayes; T Hogan, P O’Connell capt; D O’Callaghan, D Leamy, S Keogh.
Replacements: M Horan, J Flannery, M O’Driscoll, A Foley, P Stringer, R O’Gara, T Halstead/J Kelly.

Connacht: Matt Mostyn; Ted Robinson, John Hearty/Andrew Mailei, Gavin Williams, Conor McPhillips; David Slemen/Paul Warwick,Chris Keane/Tom Tierney; John McFarland/Ray Hogan, John Fogarty/Joe Merrigan, Stephen Knoop/Adrian Clarke; Andrew Gallagher/David Gannon, Andrew Farley; Mike Swift, Matt Lacey/Brendan O’Connor, John Muldoon.