O’Connell again leads Munster

PAUL O’CONNELL was yesterday renamed as Munster captain despite being ruled out of action for the first half of the season.

O’Connell believes he will make a full recovery from the groin injury/infection that has plagued him over the last five months. He is to take a watching brief as Munster play Leicester Tigers at Musgrave Park tonight (7pm).

O’Connell insists he is on course for a return before Christmas and coaching director Tony McGahan is clearly happy to go along with that medical prognosis after watching the big second row slowly build back up to the type of training he needs to re-launch his career. McGahan gave O’Connell the seal of approval on a day when Munster were also boosted by another huge cash injection from giant motor company Toyota.