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At the age of 36, Paul O’Connell will play his first game for Top 14 giants Toulon.
O’Connell, as he admitted at Ireland and Canterbury’s World Cup jersey launch, is a homebird.
‘I bought a house when I just turned professional, when I was 21, and I’m still there today,’ he said. ‘Apart from my parents’ house, which is 10 minutes away, its the only house I’ve ever lived in.’
One of the Irish captain’s big considerations, before he made the switch from Munster, was the possible impact it would have on fellow players.
‘I told the IRFU, “If it is an issue, I’m very, very happy to retire.”
‘I didn’t want to cause trouble. I know it is a situation where it will be a battle to hang onto players, and me going to Toulon isn’t ideal for them.’
Members of the print media followed up on this thread with O’Connell, and teammate Rob Kearney, after the broadcast/online section of the interview.
Kearney believes the IRFU may have allowed the lock to set off for France as he was definitely finishing up his international career.
He commented, ‘I don’t think [it will set a precedent]. Paul was very definite that after the World Cup he wanted to retire from international rugby.’
Regardless of what the fullback believes, a precedent has been set.
Excluding O’Connell, nine players in the Irish squad are over 30. All could argue, if a lucrative move to France ever cropped up, claim to have about a decade of service to province and country.
Players that Top 14 sides may target for next season include Tommy Bowe [31], Mike Ross [35], Jamie Heaslip [31] and Rory Best [32].
Hat-tip to Mike O’hEachtairn
