The former Ireland and Munster captain Paul O'Connell is set for a new role. Following in the footsteps of his former teammate Ronan O'Gara, O'Connell has been appointed the new forwards coach of French Top 14 side Stade Francais.
At 38-years-old, the Limerick native was set to join French side Toulon in a playing capacity after the 2015 World Cup; alas, a career-ending injury hampered the move. However, three years on, Stade Francais confirmed the arrival of O'Connor via their Twitter account.
✍☘ Le @SFParisRugby est fier d’annoncer l'arrivée de @Paul_OConnell au poste d'entraineur des avants (spécialiste de la touche). Welcome to Paris Paul !#PinkArmy #TousParisiens #OConnellEstRose #WelcomePaul #SFParis pic.twitter.com/x2os7SSqVb
— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) August 3, 2018
Announcing that he was "very happy to be in Paris and working with this great club," O'Connell's Paris move will see him link up for former Munster team-mate Mike Prendergast, who joined the club earlier this summer.
Confirmed by the club's Twitter account, O'Connell joins Stade Francais on a two-year contract, with a further option of one more year after that.
✍☘ Welcome in the #PinkArmy @Paul_OConnell ! La légende irlandaise devient coach des avants en charge de la touche pour les deux prochaines saisons (plus une en option). #TousParisiens #SFParis pic.twitter.com/xtIEzHrKcS
— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) August 3, 2018
Speaking via the club's official website, Heyneke Meyer, the Sports Director and Head Coach at Stade Francais, welcomed Paul O'Connell and what he would bring:
I am really pleased to welcome Paul to the Stade Francais Paris family. Paul will bring his value and experience to our coaching team through his proven leadership abilities and his tactical and technical skills.
This is a major asset for the club and it shows the ambitions and goals of the Stade Français Paris .
Although O'Gara has since departed France for New Zealand, Irish interest in French club rugby will only be intensified with Paul O'Connell making the moving there.
With Simon Zebo and Donnacha Ryan both representing Racing 92, it will certainly make for some intriguing domestic clashes next season.
