McGeechan and Phillips hail ‘immense’ O’Connell

LIONS captain Paul O’Connell came in for high praise yesterday from coach Ian McGeechan and scrum half Mike Phillips for his leadership capabilities.

Said McGeechan: “Paul was immense. On the field he led by example, and off it he managed to say all the right things at the right time, he kept things ticking over brilliantly through the last few weeks.

“They were tough times after losing the first two games, but Paul’s attention to detail, his belief in the players and in our ability to rise from the ashes was unwavering.”