O’Kelly fears unfounded

MALCOLM O’KELLY may return to full fitness next month with Leinster coach Michael Cheika yesterday refuting suggestions that the lock was suffering from a chronic, long-running knee injury.

Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan suggested the problem was a persistent one when O’Kelly was ruled out of international duty three weeks ago but his Leinster counterpart had a different slant on things.

“Contrary to what’s been said out there, he hasn’t got a chronic knee problem or anything like that. Mal picked up a knee problem in the week before the Gloucester game (last month) and he came off that day just after half-time. He really just hasn’t been able to get it right. He’s in a fair bit of pain.