O’Gara hopes to make club comeback

RONAN O’GARA is bidding to use Cork Con’s AIB League clash with UL Bohs on Saturday as a stepping stone to his international return for Ireland in the RBS Six Nations Championship.

O'Gara, ruled out of Ireland's last two victories over Scotland and Italy, believes he has a reasonable chance of making his comeback this weekend for his club. O'Gara said yesterday that the damaged ankle felt much better but stressed: "I won't rush it. I know I have to make sure that this injury clears up fully before making my return. Last week it wasn't great but it now feels much better. I'll monitor the situation and join up with the Irish squad for training later this week but again, I will not rush into coming back too soon," he said.

O'Gara's Munster colleague Paul O'Connell has targeted Ireland' fourth Six Nations clash against Wales for his return. The second row has been given the all-clear to make a return (after breaking a thumb) the weekend after next, the same weekend that Ireland play France. Given his lack of match fitness, he has little or no chance of making the Irish side for the clash at Lansdowne Road but an outside one of figuring in the A squad that weekend. Meanwhile, French manager Jo Maso has paid Ireland's back division the ultimate compliment "you're better than England."