O’Connell: it’s the biggest game of the year for us

PAUL O’CONNELL’S value to the Munster cause has rarely been more apparent than the manner in which he skippered the side against the Ospreys on Friday night.

The side desperately needed a performance after the defeats by Connacht and Ulster and they got just that as the captain marshalled his forces as only he can with the result that saw them leave Swansea with the four points that bounced them back to the top of the Magners League table.

Consequently, they now go into tomorrow night’s all-important Heineken Cup clash with Sale Sharks with morale and self-belief back where they need to be. However, that is not to suggest that all is well with the side and their task will be made a whole lot more difficult should they earn the wrath of referee Nigel Owens, just as they have done with a series of officials over the past several months.