Skipper hails young blood

MUNSTER skipper Paul O’Connell has hailed the “huge” contribution made by the younger members of the squad in helping the province ever closer towards Heineken Cup glory.

In comparison to his contribution as a young player with Munster, O’Connell believes it has been much more taxing for the youngsters that have been blooded over the last six months or so; it has, he insists, been a time of enlightenment and achievement, and he hopes that will pay rich dividends at Thomond Park on Sunday as his side go head-to-head for the second time in a week with the Scarlets.

O’Connell says it had been a difficult time for his side, like getting over players such as Ian Dowling, Barry Murphy and Alan Quinlan leaving, as well as John Hayes stepping aside. “It’s only when guys like that aren’t around that you realise how important they were,” says O’Connell.