Munster icon upbeat as future looks brighter

It will be mid-February when Paul O’Connell returns to the gym, another three or four weeks after that when he begins running again, but the Munster and Ireland lock will not be moaning and groaning along the road back to full fitness.

Just deciding to go under the knife on December 31 to correct a bulging disc in his lower back has given O’Connell all the confidence he needs to get through any dark days that may lie ahead.

“It’s frustrating. It’s probably been the most enjoyable time to play when I have been playing,” the 33-year-old said yesterday in Limerick. “I’ve enjoyed it more than ever but not to be playing is very frustrating.