O’Connell adds to Irish injury woes

Ireland’s preparations for Saturday’s Test against South Africa have been dealt another serious blow after Paul O’Connell was ruled out of the Guinness Series opener due to a back injury.

The Munster lock had appeared set to pass fit for his first Ireland appearance since a knee injury at Stade de France on March 4 cut his short his Six Nations campaign and led to him missing the summer tour to New Zealand.

O’Connell, 33, had returned to training with the Ireland squad at Carton House and taken a full part in Monday and Tuesday’s sessions, only to suffer a reaction that has forced head coach Declan Kidney to add the influential second row to an absentee list for this weekend already featuring captain Brian O’Driscoll, hooker Rory Best, flankers Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris and full-back Rob Kearney. An Ireland spokesman said O’Connell will see a specialist “in the coming days”.