Donal Lenihan: What an opportunity for James Ryan and Co to pick Paul O’Connell’s brain

I can’t think of anyone else in Irish rugby who will command more instant respect when it comes to coaching an Irish pack than Paul O’Connell

STEPPING OUT OF THE SHADOWS: The implication is that Paul O’Connell’s focus in the Irish coaching set-up will be on the lineout, maul, and breakdown, all of which are in need of improvement. Picture: Inpho/Bryan Keane

The similarities are difficult to ignore. In a week when one 41-year-old icon, with over 100 caps at the coal face of international sport, decided to step away from the national coaching set-up, another is travelling in the opposite direction.

Managing and coaching at the highest level is an emotional roller coaster, the rewards or otherwise dictated exclusively by results. Damien Duff has his own reasons for stepping away from Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland coaching set-up, just as Paul O’Connell has for finally agreeing to become part of Andy Farrell’s management team.