Reds relief on Paulie

Munster are in no doubt captain Paul O’Connell will be ready for pre-season training later this month, despite failing to pass fit for Ireland’s summer tour to New Zealand.

O’Connell was yesterday ruled out of the three-Test series against the world-champion All Blacks due to the knee injury he suffered on May 5 in a RaboDirect Pro12 home game against Ulster. Yet although rehabilitation this week in London failed to convince medics of his fitness to make the arduous journey to Auckland, the four-to-six week recovery period outlined from initial scans still stands.

“He would have been very close to going on the tour and we expect him to be fully back with us when the other internationals return for pre-season,” a Munster spokesman said.