O'Connell's rapid recovery gives Eddie a boost
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SECOND ROW Paul O'Connell is on course to give Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan a much-needed boost by returning for the next home match against Scotland on February 23.
O'Connell has not played for Munster or Ireland since suffering a back injury at the World Cup in September and it was feared he might have to sit out the rest of the season. Ireland will be without Gordon D'Arcy for the rest of the championship after the centre fractured his forearm tackling Italian out-half Andrea Masi.
O'Sullivan confirmed that D'Arcy will have an operation on his arm today but said O'Connell could return far sooner than expected.
"I'm careful with Paul because he was doing well in the build-up to the Six Nations only to wake up one morning in big trouble," he said.
"It's one of those injuries that can act up but now his rehabilitation is going well. The plan is for him to play maybe half a game with Munster A against Ulster A next weekend. The week after he'll play in the Magners League and if he gets through that he'll come into the frame for the Scotland game."
Ireland's performance led to much anger among supporters and an outbreak of booing at the final whistle.
