O’Connell's return will give Munster huge edge
The skipper made a dramatic recovery from the ankle injury that threatened to sideline him for the rest of the season and takes a place on the bench.
O’Connell wasn’t named in the extended squad on Wednesday as Tony McGahan waited to see how his captain came through what was only his second full contact session yesterday.
“We thought it prudent to omit Paul from the original squad until we saw how he came through what was only his second serious workout (Wednesday) since sustaining the injury,” said McGahan.
“He reported no ill-effects so we’re delighted to be able to name him in the squad.
“I think the Munster medical and fitness staff should get huge credit for having him back in the match-day squad at this stage. But it also demonstrates Paul’s professionalism, dedication to his sport and commitment to Munster.”
There’s just one change in personnel from the team that started against Brive in the quarter-final, with Paul Warwick coming in to partner Lifeimi Mafi in the centre and Sam Tuitupou being dropped to the bench.
Harlequins boast a full-strength side with Joe Marler, Joe Gray and James Johnston making up a youthful, but highly-impressive front row hoping to inflict suffering on Munster at set-piece time. There aren’t too many household names in this Harlequins side other than half-backs Danny Care and Nick Evans, number eight Nick Easter and winger Ugo Monye, but the young side, coached and cared for by RTE analyst Conor O’Shea, won’t be lacking in ambition, motivation or daring.
You’ll always get the company spin from the cautious coaches but it was revealing earlier this week to learn from rookie Munster full-back Felix Jones that there was no pre-plan to play an expansive game against Brive a few weeks ago.
Munster scored five tries that day en route to a 42-37 victory and the thriller could be used as a tool to encourage young players to take up the game.
“Against Brive,” Jones said, “we knew we would be busy at the back but actually we didn’t go out to run everything; I believe we have the ability and sometimes games allow you to do that.
“It was a great day weather-wise in Brive and it was a great game in many ways but I figure defences on both sides were poor.
“Brive were not happy with their defence and we certainly weren’t happy with ours.
“We have to get that right for Saturday, for sure.”
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