O'Connell struggling to shake injury

Ireland lock Paul O'Connell is still struggling to recover from a lower back injury that has kept him sidelined since October.

The former British and Irish Lions captain’s treatment “is progressing satisfactorally” according to his club Munster and he will see a specialist for a further review in the New Year.

O’Connell has endured a miserable 2012 season; he missed Ireland’s three-Test tour to New Zealand in June due to a knee injury and trained with the squad ahead of the November internationals before being sidelined by the back injury.