Paul O'Connell: Captain. Leader. Legend.

In America, sporting superstars tend to announce their departures in the most grandiose of settings. Cavernous rooms are rented out in major cities. Hundreds of media converge at an appointed hour, all in the hope that they can make the departing legend cry.

And they usually do.

Not here. Not on this side of the pond. Most of our players and athletes fade away like old soldiers. Careers not finished by injury tend to end with a decision made over a quiet cup of tea at home. Now and again, an email drops to tell the rest of us, sometimes not.