Irish captain Paul O’Connell has quickly put the glory of winning the RBS Six Nations behind him and could feature for Munster this weekend when they resume their Pro 12 campaign against Treviso.
The victorious skipper was pitchside on Tuesday for the duration of Munster’s training session at University of Limerick.
With Munster coach Rob Penney cranking up the stakes ahead of his side's clash with Leinster on Saturday week by stating that it will be his side against "the Six Nations champions", the Reds are gearing up for a crucial few weeks.
They will take on Treviso at Thomond Park on Saturday before facing Leinster a week later in the Aviva Stadium, and then the following week they host Toulouse in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
And while the Irish squad bask in their Six Nations championship win, the indications are that O’Connell will make himself available for duty against the Italians in preparation for the showdowns against Leinster and Toulouse.
Penney said that it was just typical of O’Connell that he would immerse himself back in the Munster fold so soon after leading his country to glory.
“He can’t wait to be back in amongst it. He is captain of the group which has just won the Six Nations and he is back here on the first available training day with his club.”
Scrumhalf Conor Murray and Munster skipper Peter O'Mahony are not set to return until the Leinster match.
“A couple of lads are certainly not available, we are just working through the selections at the moment but they are more than likely that the three of them will be available for next week,” added Penney.
Munster are boosted by the return from injury of Keith Earls and hooker Damien Varley, with Penney stating that, while Earls could be the man to replace Brian O'Driscoll, he is likely to keep using him on the wing.
“He could do the job. There are a number of people who could do it. He would just need time there and an opportunity. Who knows? I think he is still one of the best wings in the country. He will probably be filling that jersey for us more so than 13. He is capable no doubt about it,” he added.
Penney says the large number of Leinster players in Joe Schmit's squad will present its own challenge when they clash at the Aviva Stadium.
'Battle hardened'
"The Leinster boys have been working together and they have been battle hardened over the past three months, preparing for internationals and winning international tournament.
“I am loathe to look beyond Treviso, but if we do and we just basically think about the ramifications of what has happened over the past three months, it is going to be Munster versus the Six Nations champions and a hardened Six Nations champions side and a quality side.
“The block beyond the Treviso game is going to be massively challenging.”
