Injury-hit O'Connell set to miss Six Nations

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The lock had to abandon his Munster comeback last week after a recurrence of the back trouble which has kept him out of action since the World Cup.

After returning as a replacement for Young Munster, the 28-year-old broke down in training, leading to fears that he may need surgery.

The official club line is that O'Connell is being re-assessed, with a decision on whether surgery or rest-and-recuperation is the best solution due in the coming days. But Ireland have already admitted he will not be considered for the 'early stages' of the Six Nations.

To add to O'Sullivan's problems, Munster hooker Jerry Flannery's participation in the February 2 Croke Park clash with Italy is in doubt.

European Cup officials revealed he has been cited for stamping on Clermont Auvergne flanker Julien Bonnaire at the weekend. Should he be found guilty, the 29-year-old is likely to face a ban of two to three weeks.

However, unless a hearing is convened before the weekend, Flannery will be free to play in Saturday's Heineken Cup Pool Five decider against Wasps at Thomond Park.

If the punishment is any more severe — and with Rory Best of Ulster still not over an ankle injury — O'Sullivan could be forced to pitch recalled Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman straight into Ireland's starting XV for Italy.

O'Sullivan has recalled another experienced second row, Leo Cullen, on the strength of his form for Leinster since his summer return to Dublin after a successful stint at Leicester.

With former Wasps flanker Johnny O'Connor also back in favour, there are no places for Shane Jennings or Keith Gleeson. O'Sullivan has two uncapped players in his 33-man squad — prop Cian Healy and stand off Jonathan Sexton.

BACKS: T Bowe, G Dempsey, G D'Arcy, G Duffy, L Fitzgerald, S Horgan, R Kearney, G Murphy, B O'Driscoll, R O'Gara, E Reddan, J Sexton, P Stringer, A Trimble, P Wallace.

FORWARDS: N Best, R Best, T Buckley, L Cullen, S Easterby, J Flannery, J Hayes, C Healy, J Heaslip, M Horan, B Jackman, D Leamy, D O'Callaghan, J O'Connor, M O'Driscoll, M O'Kelly, A Quinlan, D Wallace.