Recorded last month, just before the start of the Rugby World Cup, this is a tough watch as Paul O’Connell looks forward to his final games for Ireland.
Ireland’s captain, and one of the country’s greatest ever players, sat down with Jonathan Sexton and Robbie Henshaw to discuss their hopes for the Rugby World Cup.
O’Connell would go on to suffer a devastating hamstring injury during last Sunday’s victory over France, ruling him out of the rest of the tournament and ending his Ireland career at the age of 35.
Sitting with Henshaw and Sexton, O’Connell admitted he was jealous of the Connacht centre’s youth and the fact that the bulk of his career is in front of him.
“I see these young guys with this incredible journey ahead of them, and sometimes I’d love to be back there with all the knowledge I have now,” says the Munster legend.
Sexton had the highest of praise for his captain, who will finish his career in France with Toulon once his recovery from injury is complete.
“It’s not too often you come across really special people, and he has been probably the most special guy (I have) played with.”
The toughest moment comes towards the end of the video, when Sexton asks O’Connell about playing for Ireland for the last time.
Typically stoic, O’Connell responds: “It will be tough, but there’s no value in seeing the tough side of it. I think there’s value in bringing the emotion to it, and the passion to it. I’ve prepared well all summer and the team’s in a good place, and that’s what I’m looking forward to rather than it being my last few games for Ireland.”
