O’Connell still has pivotal role to play, says Kearney

Rob Kearney has backed Paul O’Connell to leave his mark on Munster’s season even though the Ireland lock will not return to action until March at the earliest.

Both players suffered almost identical back injuries caused by bulging discs before succumbing to operations but the Leinster full-back is already back in harness after a 10-week post-op recuperation period.

O’Connell went under the knife on New Year’s Eve. The prognosis since has been positive and the 33-year-old has not ruled himself out of a third Lions tour, though he accepts that will be a tall order.