O’Connell and Varley Ruled Out For Munster

Paul O’Connell and Damien Varley have both been officially ruled out of Munster’s RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Friday.

Paul O’Connell injured his left knee in last weekend’s game against Ulster and is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks.

Meanwhile, hooker Damien Varley suffered an ankle sprain during the interprovincial derby but should be in consideration for the final if Munster overcome the Ospreys.

O’Connell is not ruled out of Ireland’s summer tour to New Zealand at this point and his progress during his rehabilitation will be monitored to ascertain his fitness before the tour begins next month.

Ronan O’Gara, who has been out of action since sustaining a leg injury in the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster, is expected to train tomorrow (Wednesday) and could be named in the squad to face the Ospreys.