O’Connell closing on return to action

Paul O’Connell could provide Munster with a surprise boost for Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with arch-rivals Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

O’Connell is expected to engage in full training this week after taking a cautious route back to fitness over the last month. He had fully recovered from the long-term knee injury that kept him out of Ireland’s summer tour to New Zealand when he suffered back spasms which further restricted his pre-season training.

However, having made considerable progress in the last fortnight, he is now likely to go full tilt for the remainder of the week and could be considered for selection.

If his recovery proceeds according to plan, he could be available to Munster for the opener against Racing Metro on Saturday week.