O'Connell relishing Munster lineout leadership role for Argentina clash

“I'd be quite a confident lineout caller and I know myself and Fineen chat a lot about it and Alex Codling, our forwards coach, is excellent as well," said O'Connell.

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said Evan O'Connell has been "knocking on the door" for selection. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Evan O’Connell is happy to embrace the responsibility of lineout leadership when he plays the senior partner in a Munster second row due to face Argentina A at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.

Head coach Clayton McMillan made the 21-year-old academy graduate wait for his seasonal debut until seven days ago, off the bench against Connacht but having seized that opportunity in a strong showing from a young set of replacements in the 17-15 round five URC derby home win, the new boss has challenged O’Connell to stake a claim to regular starting spot after handing him a leadership role in this eagerly anticipated clash against international opposition alongside debutant development player Conor Ryan.