O’Connell gets back in the groove

PAUL O’CONNELL returned to training with the Ireland squad in Bray yesterday for the first time since sustaining a shoulder injury in the Six Nations defeat by France in Paris.

The Lions lock is expected to return for the meeting with Scotland at Lansdowne Road this weekend, with his Munster team-mate Donncha O'Callaghan expected to make way.

Simon Easterby and scrum half Eoin Reddan sat out training yesterday, the squad's first session in almost a week. Both players suffered dead legs although neither are doubtful for the visit of Scotland.