It doesn't need pointing if you are rendering it, but whichever you decide

to do will have to wait until it's been above freezing for at least 72 hours

as deep frost inside the wall will take at least this long to thaw.

Whichever you decide to do, you'd be wise to add some frostproofer and

hardener (B&Q or any BM) and only mix it in small batches as it goes off

quickly

When you come to paint this render, do you have to do a **** coat first ?