Paul O’Connell: ‘Coaches have to speak up for players’

Assistant Coach Paul O'Connell. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Paul O’Connell says coaches have a duty to publicly defend their players in situations such as Tadhg Furlong’s disciplinary case last week.

An independent committee found unanimously that Furlong had no case to answer after being cited for an alleged grab of Gavin Coombes’s groin during the URC interpro between Leinster and Munster two weekends ago.

Ireland kicking coach Johnny Sexton and Leinster forwards coach Robin McBryde had both backed Furlong prior to the committee meeting last Thursday and that in turn was met with disfavour by Munster.

New interim CEO Avan Lee had criticised “unhelpful commentary from people with a clear influence over public opinion” in a club statement that his head coach Clayton McMillan then described as “brave” after their game against Sharks in Limerick on Saturday.

“I don't think Johnny would have meant anything bad by that,” said O’Connell, Ireland forwards coach. “I know Gav very well. Gav has been in with us loads of times and will be in with us again in the future, and he's a fantastic player as well.

“I suppose he felt something happened. Tadhg felt whatever happened, happened by accident, and it was just unfortunate. Coaches do have to speak up for their players and protect their players. Leinster have to do that. Munster have to do it. So it's just important everyone moves on now.” 

Furlong’s availability must be an enormous source of relief for O’Connell for Ireland in general given his position as their first-choice, world-class tighthead prop and a tough November schedule that will peak with a tie against South Africa’s world champions.

It’s less than 12 months since the Springboks schooled Ireland in the scrum.

“He's a big leader in the group,” said O’Connell. “So, it's excellent. We're missing two important leaders in the group. Well, more than two, but Jack Conan in the forwards and Caelan Doris, so it would have been disappointing to have lost him. But tough week for him and a tough week for Gavin as well, I'm sure.”

Meanwhile, O’Connell had no news to share when asked if he would be continuing on in his capacity as Ireland forwards coach beyond next year’s World Cup.

Head coach Farrell was confirmed through to the 2031 tournament during the summer but the status of his lieutenants remains unclear.

“I'm not sure,” he said. “I'm signed on until this World Cup and we'll see after that.”