No problem waiting for O’Connell, says O’Kelly

PLAYERS are well used to fretting over injuries, but sweating over someone’s else’s must be a new and altogether unnerving experience, even for the most experienced of pros.

For most of the past week, Paul O’Connell’s AC shoulder joint wasn’t far from the thoughts of Malcolm O’Kelly, Donncha O’Callaghan or Mick O’Driscoll. With good reason.

The immediate futures of all four depended on the few inches between O’Connell’s left clavicle (collarbone) and acromion (shoulder blade).