Grand Slam-winning Ireland legend Paul O’Connell says he can’t wait to get started after joining Andy Farrell’s national coaching group as forwards coach.
O’Connell was capped 108 times by Ireland and captained the team to Championship success in 2014 and 2015, having also played a key role in the 2009 Grand Slam triumph.
The 41-year-old’s illustrious playing career also included seven Test match appearances for the British & Ireland Lions across three tours and two Heineken Cup titles with Munster.
He has held coaching positions with the Munster Academy, Ireland U20s and Top 14 side Stade Francais since retiring in 2015 but will now take on a new challenge as part of Farrell’s team.
The reshuffle in the Ireland coaching set-up will see Simon Easterby focus on defence and O’Connell is already looking forward to joining forces with his former teammate.
“I am really looking forward to working with Andy and the rest of the coaching group,” said O’Connell, who won the Player of the Championship award in 2015.
“I worked with Simon as a player and am looking forward to working with him again.
“It’s an exciting young group of players to be involved with and there are talented forwards coming through across the four provinces that will no doubt be pushing for international selection in the coming months and years.”
O’Connell captained his country 28 times and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell believes his experience will help his side as they begin preparations for the 2021 Championship.
“Paul brings a wealth of rugby knowledge with him and as forwards coach he will have responsibility for the forwards including the line-out working alongside John (Fogarty),” he said.
“He will also be another strong voice and leader within the group.
“Simon (Easterby) has a real passion for defence and having developed Ireland’s forward play over the past six years with the additional responsibility for the defence over the past 12 months, he will now be able to focus his energy and rugby intellect on this area of our game.
“The weekend’s Interpro games and the European fixtures in the weeks ahead will give players the opportunity to push for selection for the Six Nations squad. The squad will not be selected until after the Champions Cup Round 4 fixtures have been completed.”
IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora added: “Paul is a young Irish coach with a huge amount of international rugby experience.
“We have been keen to find the right opportunity for him within Irish rugby and we think the fit with the national squad will work well. He joins the national coaching group with immediate effect as they prepare for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations Championships.”
