Paul O’Connell is keeping the head down and preparing for Munster’s Guinness PRO12 semi final against Ospreys, but he appears to have made his mind up on retirement.
While Munster and Ireland teammates may be more clued in on his intentions, the 35-year-old has kept fans and reporters guessing for the past nine months.
O’Connell is signed up with province and country until the end of next season but has stated that he may hang up his boots after the World Cup.
European champions Toulon are said to be interested in securing the Irish captain to replace the outgoing likes of Bakkies Botha and Ali Willims but, as yet, O’Connell’s representatives have not received a firm offer.
The Irish Examiner are reporting, this morning, that O’Connell’s semi-final appearance, on Saturday, will be his last at Thomond Park. Whether or not he will head to France – and the latest indications are that he will opt for full, rather than international, retirement – he will finish up with Munster this season.
Meanwhile, Irish Independent believe that Toulon remains a viable option for the lock, with a two-year deal of €1.2m on offer and an odd contract clause that he would not have to face Munster if the two sides were ever drawn together in the Champions Cup.
O’Connell has led Ireland to successive Six Nations titles and, this season, was named Six Nations Player of the Tournament and IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year.
