‘You don’t want to waste a resource like Paul O’Connell'

The IRFU are waiting for Paul O’Connell to say the word and the union will intergrate him into the coaching structure within Irish rugby.

David Nucifora, the union’s performance director, explained yesterday that discussions about a coaching career had already taken place with O’Connell before he finished up as a player.

Although Munster’s coaching backroom team is in a state of flux until incoming director of rugby Rassie Erasmus announces his staff, Nucifora and the IRFU are eager for O’Connell to take up a role that could come at national level.