No timeline for O’Connell return

Paul O’Connell is battling to be fit for Munster’s opening Heineken Cup tie against Racing Metro at Stade de France on October 13 because of his knee injury sustained in March.

Munster coach Rob Penney is planning without the talismanic second-row for Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with the Ospreys, and it remains unclear if he will feature against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, a week later.

“He’ll be back when he’s back, that’s as much as I can give you,” said Penney after Saturday’s 33-13 victory over the Dragons.