The Heineken Cup showdown will take place this Sunday (check BetUS online sportsbook for the latest odds on the big event) and Paul O’Connell, who was selected to the Munster squad, will make his return for the vital contest.
Rugby fans haven’t seen O’Connell for a little while as he has been shelved with a suspension. The former British and Irish skipper earned himself a four-week ban for striking Ospreys Jonathan Thomas during Munster’s 22-16 victory on December 12th. That came at Thomond Park during Munster’s European victory and it somewhat spoiled another return of his.
Prior to that, he was making a comeback from a groin injury.
It’s an important contest this weekend as Munster is in second place in Pool 3, trailing Toulon by two points and currently sitting just one point ahead of the Ospreys. Clearly, they need to be at full strength with a matchup against Toulon on Sunday.
O’Connell will be in the lineup, as will prop John Hayes and flanker David Wallace, who are both appear to be healed up from injuries. Both left the field last weekend during Magners League victory over Glasgow at Musgrave Park.
Another return to the lineup could be Saracen’s recruit, Gavin Henson, who has been registered for the Heineken Cup. With all of the returns, it could clearly give Munster a big boost this weekend.
In other Munster news, winger Doug Howlett apparently got too rowdy at the team Christmas party and was arrested in Kilkenny at the end of December. The alleged charge is for an alleged public order offense involving two men. The team had no comment originally but does take all offenses seriously.
The Heineken Cup will bet held at Stade Mayol on Sunday.
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