Rugby – Squad news:The end line is finally in sight for Paul O'Connell but mother nature may yet have a decisive role to play in when the Munster captain makes his long-awaited comeback from a problematic groin injury.
O’Connell has been included in the Munster squad for Saturday’s Magners League meeting with Cardiff and is likely to be named of the bench for the match at Thomond Park.
But with the country still in the grip of an arctic freeze, Saturday’s match remains under threat from the weather. Munster have already moved the kick-off forward to 5pm in a bid to beat the elements and, with Limerick escaping the worst of the conditions, officials are confident the match will take place.
The pitch at Thomond Park has been covered since yesterday with stadium officials confident that the game will go ahead as temperatures are forecast to rise slightly tomorrow and Saturday.
Munster squad (v Cardiff):W du Preez, D Ryan, D Varley, M Sherry, T Buckley, P Borlase, J Hayes, M O'Driscoll, I Nagle, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, A Quinlan, B Holland, N Ronan, D Wallace, D Leamy, P O'Mahony, P Stringer, T O'Leary, R O'Gara, P Warwick, D Hurley, S Tuitupou, K Earls, B Murphy, L Mafi, J Murhy, S Deasy, D Howlett