Coach welcomes successful O’Connell op

Munster head coach Rob Penney has welcomed the “great” news that Paul O’Connell successfully came through back surgery this week and is aiming to return to rugby before the season’s end.

The former Munster and Lions captain underwent a procedure on New Year’s Eve in Dublin to correct a bulging disc pressing on a nerve in his lower back.

Afterwards the 33-year-old Ireland lock said he was targeting a return to action in April.