O’Connell will be fit for World Cup

PAUL O’CONNELL faces an anxious 10-day wait before the full extent of his ankle ligament injury is known and whether he will play again this season.

But his World Cup availability is not in the slightest doubt, according to medical sources.

The Munster skipper, who hobbled off early in the second half of his side’s sensational 24-23 victory over arch-rivals Leinster at Thomond Park on Saturday night, was a relieved man after x-rays taken in Dublin yesterday revealed no broken bones and that he will be ready to help Ireland’s cause in New Zealand.