The Irish province were beaten 30-0 at Dublin's RDS on Saturday in a match which saw John Hayes sent off after appearing to stamp on the face of opposing prop Cian Healy.

O'Connell said the team's thrashing would encourage them to fight harder when they take on Northampton at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

"Everything needs to improve from last weekend. I think if it does, we have a good chance at the weekend," he said.

"I think it will be a big motivation for us having had such a disappointing performance last Saturday.

"We did none of our basics well and that's the most important thing you do."

At the Dublin launch of the Heineken Cup's 15th season, the Lions skipper admitted Munster had a difficult challenge ahead against fellow Pool One teams Perpignan, Treviso and Saints.

"Going away to Northampton and going away to Perpignan are going to be incredibly tough games, so we're going to be concentrating on getting out of our group first and foremost," he added.