Ireland optimistic over O'Connell

Paul O’Connell will be given every chance to prove his fitness for Ireland’s summer tour but a contingency plan has been drawn up in case he fails to recover in time.

The Lions captain was a surprise inclusion in the 33-man squad for the three-match itinerary which includes Tests in New Zealand and Australia and a clash with the Maori.

A groin problem has prevented him from playing since the end of the RBS 6 Nations but head coach Declan Kidney believes he has a chance of boarding the plane for Down Under.

“There are four weeks until we play New Zealand and six weeks until we play Australia,” said Kidney.

“You don’t write off a player of Paul’s calibre until you have to.

“With the nature of his injury there’s a chance he’ll return and we’ll give him every opportunity to do that.

“There’s a contingency plan in place in case he doesn’t recover.

“Some lads are going on holiday but they know they might be needed and we’re well covered.

“Paul is showing some signs of improvement. I wouldn’t like to put a figure on it percentage-wise but the nature of his injury is that it could improve rapidly.”

The squad contains three uncapped players with Ulster back-row Chris Henry and lock Dan Tuohy adding cover in the pack and Leinster centre Fergus McFadden also included.

Kidney has selected his strongest possible party, resisting any temptation to rest veterans such as John Hayes, Brian O’Driscoll and David Wallace.

“We’ve tried to balance the mix of youth and experience,” said Kidney.

“When you’re playing the top teams in the world you need all the experience you have because there will be no hiding place and you will be exposed.

“You can’t throw 15 young guys in against the best team in the world and expect them to learn things the way they should.

“That will just set them back even more. Any time you have a green jersey on you don’t want that to happen.”