Paul O'Connell
Born: October 2, 1979 (age 45)
Hometown: Limerick, Ireland
Position: Lock
Team: Toulon
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Sports Mole has 114 articles about Paul O'Connell. Articles 1 to 40:
Paul O'Connell tips Owen Farrell to lead British and Irish Lions
Paul O'Connell was at the helm for the Lions' last series against the Springboks in 2009.
Apr 15, 13:22
Paul O'Connell expecting to face "best Scottish team" in Six Nations
Scotland stunned England 11-6 at Twickenham to kick-start the Six Nations.
Mar 9, 15:33
Iain Henderson always fully committed to Ireland
The second-row forward has signed a new Ulster deal keeping him at the province until July 2023.
Feb 24, 16:49
Paul O'Connell: 'I would have regretted not taking Ireland role'
The 41-year-old expressed doubts about continuing a professional coaching career after leaving Stade Francais in 2019.
Feb 3, 08:10
Ireland coach Paul O'Connell admits Caelan Doris injury is a major blow
The 22-year-old Leinster backrow burst on to the international scene in 2020.
Feb 2, 15:26
Paul O'Connell becomes Ireland's forwards coach
The 41-year-old represented his country at four World Cups.
Jan 7, 11:23
James Ryan compared to Ireland great Paul O'Connell
The 24-year-old lock is poised to lead out his country for the first time on Saturday.
Nov 17, 19:03
Paul O'Connell: Dylan Hartley would be "great captain" for Lions
Dylan Hartley has the potential to become a commanding figure for the British and Irish Lions and skipper the side in New Zealand, according to Paul O'Connell.
Oct 12, 22:22
Martin Johnson backs Maro Itoje, George Kruis for Lions role
Martin Johnson backs England's Grand Slam-winning second row pairing of Maro Itoje and George Kruis to play a key role for the Lions next summer.
Mar 21, 15:41
Paul O'Connell announces retirement
Former Ireland captain Paul O'Connell is forced to retire after failing to overcome a hamstring problem that he sustained at the World Cup.
Feb 9, 10:23
Rory Best takes over Ireland captaincy
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt picks Rory Best to captain the team for their Six Nations opener against Wales next month.
Jan 20, 14:54
Mike Ross to miss Ireland Six Nations opener?
Tighthead prop Mike Ross is a doubt for Ireland's Six Nations opener against Wales on February 7 having sustained a serious hamstring tear.
Dec 22, 18:47
Iain Henderson to miss Ireland Six Nations campaign?
Iain Henderson faces up to six months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, according to Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss.
Dec 8, 22:38
Bryan Habana: 'Victor Matfield is a colossus of the game'
South Africa winger Bryan Habana tells Sports Mole that Victor Matfield will go down as a modern great having called time on his record-breaking 127-cap career.
Oct 31, 02:44
Joe Schmidt rules out Ireland departure
Joe Schmidt says that he is "absolutely committed" to staying on as Ireland's head coach.
Oct 24, 14:55
Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip: "We gave ourselves too much to do"
Stand-in Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip admits that his team gave themselves too much to do in their RWC quarter-final by falling 17 points behind Argentina early on.
Oct 18, 16:19
Johnny Sexton fit for Ireland quarter-final
Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton is named in the starting lineup for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
Oct 16, 13:35
Ireland to risk Johnny Sexton against Argentina?
Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek suggests that fly-half Johnny Sexton could play against Argentina even if he is not fully fit for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
Oct 14, 22:01
Nathan Hines hails "immense" Paul O'Connell
Nathan Hines says that Paul O'Connell's hamstring injury "takes nothing away" from what he has achieved in his career.
Oct 13, 22:24
Ireland's Sean O'Brien suspended for quarter-final clash against Argentina
Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien is banned by World Rugby for his side's Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against Argentina for punching Pascal Pape.
Oct 13, 22:02
Paul O'Connell's Ireland career ended by hamstring injury at Rugby World Cup
Paul O'Connell's international career ends prematurely as a hamstring injury rules the Ireland captain out of the Rugby World Cup.
Oct 13, 10:13
Ireland's Peter O'Mahony ruled out of Rugby World Cup
Ireland back row Peter O'Mahony is ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a knee ligament injury.
Oct 12, 12:56
Jack McGrath: 'Paul O'Connell would leave a big void for Ireland'
Ireland prop Jack McGrath tells Sports Mole that the team will have a "big void" if captain Paul O'Connell is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Oct 12, 00:07
Ireland beat France to top Pool D
Ireland finish top in Pool D after beating France 24-9 at the Millennium Stadium at the Rugby World Cup.
Oct 11, 18:38
Paul O'Connell: 'Ireland have not held anything back for France'
Paul O'Connell dismisses suggestions that Ireland have kept their powder dry ahead of their Rugby World Cup clash with Wales.
Oct 10, 14:32
Ireland make two changes for Pool D showdown against France
Ireland make two changes to the side that beat Italy as they prepare for this weekend's Pool D showdown against France in the Rugby World Cup.
Oct 9, 14:58
Ireland defeat Italy by seven points
Ireland defeat Italy 16-9 in the Rugby World Cup, with Keith Earls scoring the only try of the match.
Oct 4, 18:35
Half-Time Report: Ireland lead Italy by four points at half time
Ireland are beating Italy 10-6 at half time in the Rugby World Cup.
Oct 4, 17:33
Joe Schmidt makes 12 Ireland changes for Romania match
Joe Schmidt will field a much-changed Ireland XV when they face Romania in their second Rugby World Cup match on Sunday.
Sep 25, 14:36
Captain Paul O'Connell wants Ireland improvement
Ireland captain Paul O'Connell wants to see his team start better in their next Pool D fixture against Romania, following the country's 50-7 victory over Canada.
Sep 20, 12:40
Ireland score seven tries, secure comfortable victory over Canada
Ireland record a comfortable victory over Canada in their Rugby World Cup opener at the Millennium Stadium, scoring seven tries in a 50-7 bonus-point win.
Sep 19, 16:21
Stephen Ferris: 'Iain Henderson should start against Canada'
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt should select Iain Henderson in the back row against Canada on Saturday, according to Stephen Ferris.
Sep 16, 14:24
Paul O'Connell: 'Alarm bells not ringing'
Paul O'Connell insists alarm bells are not ringing in the Ireland camp despite losing two games in a row before the World Cup.
Sep 5, 17:35
England secure composed victory over Ireland
England defeat Ireland 21-13 in a World Cup warm-up game thanks to tries from Jonny May and Anthony Watson.
Sep 5, 16:30
Live Commentary: England 21-13 Ireland - as it happened
Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of England's Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Ireland at Twickenham.
Sep 5, 13:30
Paul O'Connell eager for Ireland improvement
Ireland captain Paul O'Connell claims that he and his teammates are a "long, long way away" from winning the Rugby World Cup following their 10-16 loss to Wales.
Sep 4, 18:10
Seven changes for Ireland against England
Joe Schmidt makes seven changes for Ireland's clash with England at Twickenham Stadium.
Sep 3, 18:20
Jack Conan to make Ireland debut against Scotland
Leinster flanker Jack Conan is handed his Ireland debut against Scotland as coach Joe Schmidt makes 14 changes from the side that beat Wales.
Aug 13, 15:46
Rhys Ruddock drops out of Ireland World Cup squad through injury
Leinster flanker Rhys Ruddock drops out of Ireland's World Cup squad after breaking his arm for the second time in six months.
Jun 24, 18:54
Toulon announce Paul O'Connell signing from Munster
French side Toulon formally sign Ireland's Paul O'Connell from Munster on a two-year contract.
Jun 16, 05:10
