O’Connell may now miss key Saracens clashes

Now it is Munster’s turn to sweat over the fitness of Paul O’Connell.

Ruled out of the remaining two of Ireland’s Guinness Series of autumn internationals having missed last Saturday’s defeat to South Africa due to a back injury, the 2009 British & Irish Lions captain’s province will now be hoping he recovers in time for the resumption of Heineken Cup play when the European club competition returns to the schedule in December.

Head coach Rob Penney has to plan for pivotal games in the qualifying bid for the quarter-finals with back-to-back games against English Premiership powerhouse Saracens on December 8 at Thomond Park and December 16 at Vicarage Road, Watford.