O’Connell bullish over Heineken Cup return

Paul O’Connell looked like a new man at UL yesterday as he proclaimed to the rugby world: “I’m injury free and the Heineken Cup is definitely on for me.”

Instead of the disconsolate figure who limped from one major injury setback to another over the last three years, the Munster talisman was full of the vigour, energy and appetite for work as he came through the first half of Munster A’s 24-17 victory over their Leinster counterparts in front of close on 2,000 watchers yesterday.

Between claiming a succession of lineout throws, charging around enthusiastically and bowling over opponents with abandon, he also fulfilled his duties at close quarters. The joy and relief in his face as he celebrated his earlier than anticipated return was palpable. And while his next two assignments are likely to be with Munster against Connacht on Saturday week and Glasgow Warriors seven days later, he might even turn our for Young Munster in an Ulster Bank League tie against Cork Constitution at Clifford Park on Saturday.