O’Connell in squad for Toulon clash

Paul O’Connell has today been named in a 27-man squad for Sunday’s crunch Heineken Cup clash against Toulon in the Stade Félix Mayol, kick-off 4pm.

O’Connell was handed a four-week suspension for allegedly striking Ospreys number eight Jonathan Thomas in an off-the-ball incident in the Heineken Cup round three game more than a month ago.

It will be interesting to see whether coach Tony McGahan will start the former Lions skipper or deploy him from the bench as O’Connell is severely low on match practice.

The starting line-up and replacements will be announced at midday on Friday.

Munster Squad: Wian Du Preez, Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckley, John Hayes, Mike Sherry, Damien Varley, Billy Holland, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan, Tommy O’Donnell, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Tomás O’Leary, Peter Stringer, Scott Deasy, Ronan O’Gara, Paul Warwick, Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Denis Hurley, Doug Howlett.