Eager O’Connell ready to roll

PAUL O’CONNELL insists Munster’s World Cup contingent are buzzing again after returning to the province and ready to meet the challenge of Leinster this weekend and the Heineken Cup campaign beyond.

The always eagerly-anticipated inter-provincial clash kicks off at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night, quickly followed by the first two rounds of European competition, at home to last year’s runners-up Northampton Saints on November 11 and away to French high-fliers Castres a week later. So there is little time for Munster’s Ireland internationals to dwell on the disappointment of a quarter-final exit to Wales in Wellington just four weekends ago. Provincial captain O’Connell, who returned to RaboDirect Pro12 action last Friday against Aironi, said yesterday he was relishing the chance to hit the ground running in a red jersey having missed the start of last season with a long-term groin problem.

“I’m enjoying it more than ever. I didn’t get a pre-season, really, last year but got a great pre-season this year with Ireland,” O’Connell said in Dublin at the Irish launch of this season’s Heineken Cup.