Paul O’Connell Out Due To Injury

A rib injury picked up in the game against England, flared up again and has forced Paul O’Connell to withdraw from the Ireland side for the game tomorrow against Italy.

Paul O’Connell has cried off the Ireland team to play Italy in the
RBS Six
Nations Championship at Lansdowne Road tomorrow
because of bruised ribs.

He is replaced in the second row by Donncha O’Callaghan, whose
position on
the replacements bench will now be filled by Gary Longwell.

O’Connell picked up the injury in the course of Ireland’s win over England at Twickenham and although he had recovered sufficently to be named in the starting XV, the injuury flared up again today forcing his withdrawal from the side. The Ireland management are confident however that he will be available for the Triple Crown decider against Scotland in a week’s time.