CONFIRMED: Paul O’Connell out of World Cup; to undergo surgery

"A leader, a warrior, a gentleman - Paul O'Connell has played his last for Ireland."

The IRFU have announced that Paul O’Connell will play no further part in the Rugby World Cup, ending the player’s international career.

It seemed a virtual certainty after he was stretchered off the pitch against France with a suspected torn hamstring and a statement issued in the past few minutes confirmed the news.