Paul O'Connell, one of the all time greats of Irish sport, has retired. It's a terrible day for Irish rugby. O'Connell's retirement was choreographed. O'Connell was interviewed in his home by Michael Corcoran of RTE last night. He was also in Toulon last week to speak with the Toulon coaching staff and had lunch with Toulon coach Diego Dominguez last week where he laid out his plans.
O'Connell told Corcoran that the Toulon staff were entirely supportive. But his retirement did not pass without a sly dig from his controversial would-be employer Mourad Boudjellal
Mourad texted me and said 'you can never say you won in the [Stade] Mayol'.
Stade Mayol is, of course, Toulon's fortress. Paul O'Connell never won there in his Munster career and sadly he didn't get the chance to win there in his Toulon career.
Listen to the entire interview below.
Mourad