How do you replace the irreplaceable Paul O’Connell?

Paul O’Connell may be keeping quiet on his future but Anthony Foley knows it will not be with Munster and the head coach is making plans to bring in an overseas replacement for the departing Ireland captain.

O’Connell’s glittering 14-season career in the Munster first team came to a deeply disappointing end at Ravenhill on Saturday night as the province was outclassed by Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness Pro12 final.

Despite mounting speculation that the 35-year-old lock is set to put pen to paper on a lucrative contract with European champions Toulon, O’Connell has not confirmed anything about his future beyond this autumn’s World Cup other than to repeat he is still undecided over whether to play on after October or retire.