Say it ain’t so. O’Connell a big doubt to start against Clermont

In what would be a massive blow to Munster’s hopes, reports emerging from Montpellier are suggesting that the big fella might miss this afternoon’s clash with Clermont with a hip injury.

O’Connell, who has battled a series of injuries in recent seasons, has had a huge influence since returning from a back problem earlier this season and was magnificent in Munster’s victory over Harlequins at the Stoop in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

Reports emerging from Montpellier this afternoon suggest that O’Connell is a major doubt for today’s semi-final clash with Clermont and if he does indeed fail to make the starting line-up, it would be a major blow for a Munster side who are huge outsiders as it is.

The news was first broke on Twitter by Ruaidhri O’Connor of the Irish Independent, but Newstalk Sports Editor Ger Gilroy subsequently revealed that they were told by the Munster Press Office this afternoon that O’Connell would start, while adding the proviso that it doesn't necessarily mean that he will.

Further news will no doubt emerge on O’Connell’s availability before kick-off in Montpellier, but let’s hope that he’ll be leading his players out of the tunnel in a couple of hours time.