The news that Paul O'Connell will be out of action for 10 weeks, as reported in this morning's Irish Examiner, may in fact not be entirely accurate with the absence now believed to be nearer to 6 weeks according to a statement issued late this (Tuesday) evening by IRFU.

O'Connell left the pitch in the 74th minute of Munster game with Llanelli Scarlets last Friday holding his left hand. He had an x-ray on Saturday which showed nothing untoward.

However, an MRI scan on Monday indicated damage to a bone in the left thumb and O'Connell travelled to Cork to see an orthopaedic specialist. He left Cork with his hand in plaster and while it is still too early to be definitive, the medical view is that he will be out of action for six weeks.

That would of course mean he misses the crucial opening Heineken Cup matches against Sale Sharks (away) and Castres Olympique (home) but back in good time for the December Heineken Cup back-to-back clashes with Gwent Dragons.

The player himself remained upbeat despite the setback. " I have a plaster on the hand which I'm told will come off in about two weeks. Then they'll (medics) have a better idea how things are but I've been told I should be back in action in six weeks time. So that's better than the original estimate and I'll take that as a positive."