O’Connell returns to give Reds Euro boost

Munster head coach Rob Penney has received the best possible antidote to the province’s injury woes after Paul O’Connell declared himself fit to face Racing Metro at Stade de France tomorrow.

With players falling all round him ahead of the crucial Heineken Cup opening pool game against heavyweight French opposition, Penney has heard the news he and Munster supporters have been waiting for since the New Zealander took over the reins this summer — the talismanic O’Connell was finally ready for action, five months and a week after limping out of a Rabo game at home to Ulster with a serious knee injury.

There had been false dawns for the Ireland and Lions lock, who turns 33 on October 20, the most recent in pre-season when a related back problem surfaced and Penney left the final decision on a return to the field to O’Connell with the mantra “he’ll tell us when he’s ready”.