Paul O connel?

Could be his last game in the 6ns. Do think he has more games' in him.

I know he is not a spring chicken any more.

Or should he bow out now After leading his team to a fantastic win in a nail biting 6ns ?

He is capable of another year..no doubt. Depends on how the World Cup goes and if he fancies making a few bob in France next year...

He should make his mind up after the RWC. He seems like the kind of bloke who would be keen to avoid the prelonged retirement tour we see from some, wher ethe matches become more about it being their last 6Ns game/match at home/match etc.

He has been a great leader for Ireland. I think he is the kind of player that will keep playing untill he drops. before he retires,

I think/hope he has one more 6N left but a lot depends on the RWC. Deserves every accolade thrown his way 

If I was him I would go for the shekels in France..he owes Munster and Ireland nothing at this stage....

Doesn't need the shekels. If he plays, he plays in Ireland and Munster

ME-109 wrote:If I was him I would go for the shekels in France..he owes Munster and Ireland nothing at this stage....

Except his loyalty?...which probably kept him and other Irish players in situ in the first place.

We can't know what's in a player's heart, but going to France often sounds more exotic than it proves to be - especially I'd think for an older player.  Would it be worth the extra money to be worked like a carthorse to his final low key retirement?  Paulie ain't short comfort money and won't be short it when he retires.  So we'll see how he balances his options.

I agree...and loyalty, playing for your family, friends etc is what its all about for POC. Just saying though that if he wanted to take a shot in France for a year or two and retired from Intl rugby then good luck to him. Maybe he should...

Having said that there isnt a lock or captain within an arses roar of him in Ireland so if he plays he plays for Ireland I reckon.

101 caps for Ireland, 7 test caps for the Lions, 2 Heineken Cups, 2 Six Nations championships on points difference and one Grand Slam, been Ireland Captain, been Lions Captain, been part of a winning Lions test series.

There's very little missing from his CV, just the World Cup to round it off. Would not begrudge him anything, he's already up there with Willie John McBride, Mike Gibson, Jackie Kyle, Brian O'Driscoll, Syd Millar, Moss Keane etc. etc.

If he wants to retire after the RWC or if he wants to go earn some money and live somewhere else good luck and thank you for everything!

Notch wrote:101 caps for Ireland, 7 test caps for the Lions, 2 Heineken Cups, 2 Six Nations championships on points difference and one Grand Slam, been Ireland Captain, been Lions Captain, been part of a winning Lions test series.

There's very little missing from his CV, just the World Cup to round it off. Would not begrudge him anything, he's already way ahead of  up there with Willie John McBride, Mike Gibson, Jackie Kyle, Brian O'Driscoll, Syd Millar, Moss Keane etc. etc.

If he wants to retire after the RWC or if he wants to go earn some money and live somewhere else good luck and thank you for everything!

Fixed that for you. You forgot Tom Kiernan but I'll forgive you given you live in the barren north...

edit...

you also forgot..
Karl Mullen
Ciaran Fitz
Keith Wood
Noisy Murphy
etc etc....

but as I said your point of reference limits your scope...

Comparing guys who played in the 1940s through to the 1980s to todays players is difficult. I also forgot the raging, rampaging potato Keith Wood

Paul O connel?

Is he related to Sam worberton? Or Adam jonnes?

Surprised somebody mentioned the spelling. Thought more people would take umbrage with the fact that apparently he might ever consider retiring before the World Cup.

Risca Rev wrote:Surprised somebody mentioned the spelling. Thought more people would take umbrage with the fact that apparently he might ever consider retiring before the World Cup.

Why would he do that? He isn't coached by Warren Gatland.

The man is unreplaceable, a colossal, a gentleman who does not crave recognition who won't want 12 limelight last matches here there and everywhere.

He will retire after the World Cup.

Step forward Jack o Donoghue

George Carlin wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Surprised somebody mentioned the spelling. Thought more people would take umbrage with the fact that apparently he might ever consider retiring before the World Cup.

Why would he do that? He isn't coached by Warren Gatland.

Greatest Irish player of them all...yup I said it.

He's in the form of his life and looks like he could go on forever the way he's playing but in a way it would be nice to see him go out in his pomp....after trouncing the ABs and lift the Webb Ellis cup of course....

He is awesome alright. He should play for as long as he wants to even if the form drops. It is nice that legends like Stringer are still playing and enjoying themselves.