Lenihan: O’Connell should stay at home

Donal Lenihan believes bringing Paul O’Connell to New Zealand for Ireland’s three-test series against the All Blacks is a mistake.

The former Ireland and Lions manager believes the Munster skipper would be better served with a summer off to recover from a serious knee injury.

“This time next year Stephen Ferris, Sean O’Brien and O’Connell should be in pole position to tour Australia with the Lions on what looks a very demanding itinerary,” Lenihan says. “One wonders will their bodies hold up that long.