O’Connell Out Of Italy Game

It has been confirmed that Ireland second row Paul O’Connell has been ruled out of the Italy game due to a fractured thumb in his right hand.

A statement issued this (Sunday) evening by the national side confirmed that O’Connell will see a specialist tomorrow morning to and therefore will miss Munster’s Heineken Cup clash with Llanelli Scarlets.

He now joins a Munster injury list that includes Anthony Foley, Anthony Horgan, Federico Pucciariello, Darragh Hurely, Frank Roche, James Coughlan and Marcus Horan.

There was no news of Horan’s injury (calf) other than he was continuing his rehabilitation. Hurley and Coughlan are expected to be available for consideration for the Magners League tie against Ulster in a fortnight.