O’Connell returns for derby day showdown

PAUL O’CONNELL will lead Munster for the first time this season in Saturday’s eagerly-awaited Magners League clash with Leinster at the RDS.

However, the Lions captain will not line out for the full 80 minutes due to a combination of his total lack of game time since his return from South Africa and because he is also nursing a minor hamstring strain that caused him to miss Sunday’s win over the Dragons.

He carried an ice pack on his thigh immediately after Munster’s second session of the day at UL yesterday but insisted it was purely a precautionary step.