Heineken Cup heavy weights Munster will have to prepare for their Cup opener against Sale Sharks without stalwart second row Paul O'Connell.
It was confirmed this week that the Lions and Ireland lock suffered damage to a bone in his left thumb while playing for Munster against Llanelli Scarlets in the Celtic League on Friday, 23rd September.
It is expected that O'Connell will have his cast removed in about two weeks, at which time there will be a further examination. Munster hope that he will be back playing in six weeks time, which would mean that he will miss Munster's crucial Heineken Cup Pool 1 Round 1 match away to Sale Sharks and the Round 2 game at home to Castres. O'Connell will be targeting a return for the Round 3 trip to Rodney Parade for the match against The Dragons on Saturday, 10 December.
Munster will play in the opening game of the tournament against Sale Sharks in Edgeley Park on Friday, 21 October at 7.30pm.
