McGahan confident key duo will be fit to face Saints

MUNSTER chiefs are confident that Lions pair Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls will be fit for Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final with Northampton Saints.

The duo sat out training yesterday having missed the Magners League loss to Leinster due to groin injuries. However, coach Tony McGahan is adamant the Irish internationals will be available for the crunch tie at Thomond Park.

“We expect every one in the 28-man squad to be available,” he stressed. “Neither Keith nor Paul trained Tuesday but Saturday is a long way off. We’ll give them every opportunity to get there and we’re confident that they will do so.”