The Munster and Lions skipper hasn’t trained for the last three weeks with a groin injury and McGahan insists he may wait until Wednesday before making a decision.

O’Connell has been sidelined since the RBS 6 Nations and last played for Munster back in January against Northampton.

McGahan could also be without Doug Howlett, Ian Dowling, Nick Williams and O’Connell’s Ireland team mate Keith Earls.

“We would like all of them back, to be honest,” said McGahan. “We have five or six guys pushing to get back and all of them have played important roles this season.

“It’s a race against the clock for Paulie, we’re doing everything possible to get him into the frame to play.

“But more importantly he needs to be in the frame to train because he hasn’t played for a long time. That’s the first obstacle, to train, then it’s a selection matter.”