Paul O’Connell’s move to France is not panning out the way he would have hoped.
We knew from the moment we saw he crumple to the Millennium Stadium pitch, last October, that O’Connell had done some serious damage.
The Ireland captain was helped off the pitch after getting caught in a ruck and injuring his hamstring.
O’Connell did not get ruled out of the World Cup for another 48 hours but anyone was at the ground knew his race was run from the very moment he tried, and failed, to stand.
The 36-year-old signed a two-year deal with Toulon last year but has yet to play for his new side. O’Connell is currently in the south of France and rehabbing the hamstring that he tore off the bone in the World Cup.
However, there appears to be no sign of a return in the coming weeks.
Midi Olympique report that O’Connell is ‘still suffering’ with his hamstring and is being sent for further scans this week.
Toulon may now bring in another medical joker [player] for O’Connell as they fight for trophies on the European and domestic front. The club actually has the option to terminate O’Connell’s contract after a year, meaning O’Connell’s latest injury travails could be his last.
Another player suffering with hamstring issues is France back-row Louis Picamoles.
The Northampton Saints-bound forward limped out of his side’s narrow win over Italy, on Saturday, and now looks set to miss the championship.
His place in the French squad has gone to Loann Goujon of Bordeaux-Begles.
