Walsh surprised as O’Connell linked with Pau

French newspaper reports Paul O’Connell will end his career with French 2nd division club Pau after the 2015 Rugby World Cup came as a bombshell yesterday to his team-mates and Ireland and Munster fans.

O’Connell is contracted to Munster and Ireland until June 2016 but the word in France is that the Ireland captain will join up with former Munster number eight James Coughlan and Simon Mannix, the province’s assistant coach for the past two seasons. Brian Walsh, who replaced Mannix in that role, sounded as surprised as anyone when speaking after Munster’s squad session at UL yesterday.

“I’m not aware of this story and I don’t believe there’s any truth in it”, said Walsh. “But whatever Paul O’Connell wants to do, Paul O’Connell will do and I don’t think Munster would ever stand in his way. He has been an unbelievable servant, himself and Donncha O’Callaghan, whether it will ever be replicated is doubtful. What they mean to the province and the provinces means to them, I don’t think we’ll ever see it again.”