O’Connell Promoted to Senior Squad

Munster lock Paul O’Connell has been promoted to the Ireland senior squad ahead of next week’s international against Wales. O’Connell (pictured) picked up the Man of the Match award for his performance in Munster’s quarter final win over Stade Francais, and is called up to the senior squad as cover for Malcolm O’Kelly.

A statement from IRFU read, As a consequence of the decision by the National and Provincial Medical teams to withdraw Malcolm O’Kelly from the Leinster team to play Leicester in the Heineken Cup quarter final; Paul O’Connell (Munster) has been promoted from the A team squad to the Senior squad from which the team to
play Wales on Sunday next will be selected on Wednesday 30th January.

O’Connell has been call up as a precaution should O’Kelly fail a medical test (he has a damaged eye socket and cheekbone) early next week.

O’Connell’s replacement on the A squad will be announced later as will the replacement for Jonathan Bell who has been forced to withdraw from the A squad. Bell has an achilles injury and is expected to be out of action for at least four weeks.