O’Connell on verge of return
That's good news for Munster, who need victories over Castres and Sale in January to make the knock-out stages for the eighth successive year.
It could be bad news for Connacht and Leinster because O'Connell has targeted these post-Christmas Celtic League matches to mark his return from the hand injury that has kept him out of action for 10 weeks.
O'Connell missed out on Munster's opening matches against Sale Sharks, Castres, and the two against Newport Gwent Dragons. The injury also cost him further Irish caps when he was ruled out of the autumn internationals against New Zealand, Australia and Romania.
He remarked yesterday: "The hand is fully healed, I have been out of plaster for the last three weeks and have engaged in full contact training for over a week now.
"I will be guided by the medical people, but I figure I could be ready for the Connacht match [December 27] or the Leinster game [December 31]."
O'Connell is conscious of the effort Munster will have to put in over the coming weeks to preserve their lead in the Celtic League and survive in Europe.
"It's a big few weeks and we know we have to beat both Castres and Sale to survive in the Heineken Cup. But we have been in difficult situations before and have come through them, so I hope we can do so again."
He is also aware that, in his absence, Mick O'Driscoll and Donncha O'Callaghan have thrown down the gauntlet by teaming up brilliantly in the Munster second row.
"It's a sign and one should not neglect to mention Trevor Hogan that competition is at a premium in the second row. In fact, there's huge competition in the front and back rows as well, so we're in a healthy situation from that point of view," he said.
Frankie Sheahan, the Munster and Irish hooker, provided less encouraging news, confirming he is unlikely to play a part in the Heineken Cup pool run-in.
Sheahan sustained a neck ligament injury in the opening defeat to Sale and the healing process has been slower than anticipated.
"My fitness levels are fine; I have been able to train and have done some light weights. But, as a precautionary measure, I have to hold back for another few weeks. I guess that will rule me out of the Castres and Sale matches, although you never know. With this type of injury, however, it's better to err on the side of caution."
Munster are fortunate that they had such quality back-up.
O'Driscoll has arguably been the most consistent Munster forward throughout the competitive campaign, while Jerry Flannery has earned plaudits from many quarters for his displays.
The back division poses a more difficult problem for Munster coach Declan Kidney.
The injury to former All Black Christian Cullen late last season was a huge blow, and although he is making good progress, the best he can hope for is to be included in an expanded Munster squad for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup if they get there.
The Munster squad to play Connacht on Tuesday next should be announced on Thursday. It is likely that Kidney will recall the out of favour Rob Henderson for this game, either in the team or at least on the bench.
Leinster A team to face Ulster in Banbridge today (ko: 6.30pm): E. Hickey, G. Brown, G. Stafford, D. McAllister, B. Burke, J. Hepworth, B. O'Riordan, R. McCormack, D. Blaney, N. Duffy, S. Crawford, A. Byrnes, K. Croke, A. Dunlop,
N. Ronan.
Replacements: J. Wickham, J. Lyne, A. O'Sullivan, M. D'Arcy, B. Lynn, J. Norton.
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