O’Connell: For us up front, this was war. That’s what we made it

THERE may be times when people, tied to a desk or a job they don’t find all that rewarding, throw an envious eye towards well paid, well trained professional rugby players and wonder if they really deserve the perks and the stardom that come their way.

Listen to Paul O’Connell and the little things that happen during their weekly sessions and you realise just how serious and attentive they are about achieving the desired result.

“There was an incident in training during the week when we forced one pass too many and a few guys started talking about being patient,” he recalls. “Deccie latched on to it and patience and possession then became our mantra throughout the week. That’s what we did in the second half, we turned the corner, held on to the ball, held on to the ball.