 |
Paul O'Connell |
| Club / Province: |
Young Munster/Munster |
| Position: |
Lock |
| Date of Birth: |
20/10/79 |
| Height: |
1.98m |
| Weight: |
115Kg |
| Honours: |
70 Ireland Caps |
Without doubt one of the finest Lock forwards in world rugby, Paul O’Connell’s leadership on the field has been immense for Ireland and Munster. The driving force behind Munster’s two Heineken Cup championship wins, the Limerick man galvanises every team he plays for. A Lions Test player in 2005, he scored a try on his Ireland debut against Wales in February 2002, and has gone on to become a permanent fixture in the Irish side. Paul represented Ireland schools and Ireland U21’s where he played with his 2nd row partner Donnacha O’Callaghan. He has captained Ireland on three occasions and this season he also captains Munster. Injury limited Paul’s involvement in the 2008 Six Nations but he is now back with gusto.
2009 was one of the highlights in Paul O'Connells career with a successful Six Nations Grand Slam campaign under his belt, he was then appointed Lions captain for the tour to South Africa. Although the Lions ran a close second, O'Connells leadership qualities saw him earn international respect on and off the field.
He returned to play his part in the 2009 November Guinness Test series against Australia, Fiji and South Africa and was ever present during Ireland's 2010 Six Nations campaign