European Rugby: O'Connell named in Munster squad

Munster coach Declan Kidney has brought in rookie second row Paul O’Connell for Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Bridgend at Musgrave Park, Cork.

Kidney has a wealth of talent in the second row but has opted for 22-year-old

O’Connell to partner captain Mick Galwey ahead of Mick O’Driscoll, John

Langford and Donnacha O’Callaghan.

O’Driscoll has been first choice alongside Galwey but will drop down to the

bench this weekend.

Otherwise there are no further changes from the team which started in the

victory over Bridgend at the Brewery Field last Friday.

Kidney will wait, however, until the very last minute for Ireland and Lions

flanker David Wallace to recover from a shoulder injury before deciding the

make-up of his back row.

If Wallace fails to make the side, Colm McMahon and

Alan Quinlan are in contention to take his place.

The other notable selection is the inclusion of Lions centre Rob Henderson on

the replacements bench.

Henderson has not yet played for Munster following his move from Wasps during the summer. He underwent knee surgery following the Lions tour to Australia and was expected to be out of action until the New Year.

Munster team to face Bridgend, Musgrave Park, Cork on Saturday, November 3: J Staunton, J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan, R O’Gara, P Stringer; P

Clohessy, F Sheahan, J Hayes, P O’Connell, M Galwey, J Williams, AN Other (D

Wallace or C McMahon or A Quinlan), A Foley.