O’Connell Will Miss Biarritz Match

Munster have been delt a major blow with the news that inspirational team captain Paul O’Connell will be ruled out of this weekend’s massive clash with Biarritz in the semi finals of the Heineken Cup. Ronan O Gara is expected to take the captains role.

The Munster skipper has not recovered from a groin injury that he picked up against Scotland in the final game of the RSB Six Nations six weeks ago.

In O’Connell’s absence, Mick O’Driscoll is likely to partner Donacha O’Callaghan in the second row.

There is positive news for Munster elsewhere though as the quartet of Ian Dowling, Keith Earls, Doug Howlett and Nick Williams have been included in the squad despite all carrying knocks.

Biarritz have injury concerns of their own with Damien Traille already ruled out and doubts surrounding the fitness of Imanol Harinordoquy.

Munster squad to play Biarritz in the Heineken Cup semi-final: Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Julien Brugnaut, John Hayes, Damien Varley, Jerry Flannery, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, Donncha O’Callaghan, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Nick Williams, James Coughlan, Niall Ronan, Tomas O’Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Paul Warwick, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Tom Gleeson, Doug Howlett, Denis Hurley, Ian Dowling, Keith Earls, Scott Deasy.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.