Duo ready for return

JOHNE MURPHY and Tomás O’Leary will both be in contention to play in Munster’s European semi-final against Harlequins.

However, the game will be a week too early for Paul O’Connell who is eyeing the Magners League semi-final for a possible return.

Scrum-half O’Leary, who has recovered from an eye injury, withdrew from an A fixture at Moseley at the weekend after suffering a back spasm.

But Murphy has been given the all-clear by a specialist after suffering a cut to the inside of his eyelid last week. “Murphy should be available,” said Munster coach Tony McGahan. “There was a possibility of playing against the Ospreys but we wanted him to get the best possible care.

“Tomás didn’t respond as well as we hoped from the slight back problem and with the travelling, we thought it was too much of a risk. He’s certainly in contention for next week but hasn’t played for a while.”

O’Connell has resumed training as he recovers from ankle ligament damage and is likely to return in two weeks.