Easy does it for O’Connell

MUNSTER and Ireland second row Paul O’Connell has refused to set a deadline on his return to competitive rugby.

The former Lions captain has been sidelined by an injury nightmare since the end of the Six Nations Championships, missing out on the latter stages of the Heineken Cup, Magners League and the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Though he insists he is on the road to recovery, the Limerick man yesterday wouldn’t be drawn as to when he will feature in the opening games of Munster’s season or the November internationals. By Christmas he says, almost certainly, judging by “the way I’m going, the way I’m moving, the progress I’m making week on week.”