# Paul O'Connell

Last month

September 2023

bad times

Over-training, wrong hotel, reinventing the wheel - POC's World Cup lessons

The Ireland forwards coach is confident the current squad are in a good place.

11.0k

Sep 5th 2023, 5:24 PM

This year

2023

train smart

Pre-season with Paul O'Connell: 'It’s a progression from the way we used to do things'

The Ireland forwards coach is involved in a pre-season camp with Andy Farrell’s squad for this first time.

4.0k

Aug 2nd 2023, 6:45 AM

O'Connell: Sexton ban could be 'silver lining' for Ireland

Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell is confident Johnny Sexton can hit the ground running at the World Cup.

6.7k

Aug 1st 2023, 4:26 PM

Role Models

'I wouldn’t have really looked up to anybody in rugby. Nadal was my idol' - Baird

Ryan Baird on working with Paul O’Connell and a summer trip to Wimbledon.

5.1k

Jul 26th 2023, 6:30 AM

Injury Update

Ringrose and Lowe sit out Ireland training but hopeful for Scotland game

Stuart McCloskey and Cian Healy trained away from the rest of the squad.

11.0k

Mar 2nd 2023, 1:23 PM

Last year

2022

Big man

Wallabies lock Skelton benefits from ROG influence in France

La Rochelle had a visit from Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell during the summer.

8.9k

Nov 18th 2022, 7:00 AM

mauled

Immense performance from POC's Irish forwards at heart of win over Boks

The maul was the key battleground in an absorbing Test in Dublin.

25.1k

Nov 7th 2022, 6:10 AM

boks office

Paul O'Connell has transformed the Irish pack, but today is their biggest test yet

The former Munster and Ireland lock has made a major impact since joining Andy Farrell’s coaching team last year.

6.4k

Nov 5th 2022, 6:00 AM

over to stu

'We’re very confident about Stuart' - O'Connell backs McCloskey to step up against Springboks

The Ulster centre comes into the Ireland team after Robbie Henshaw dropped out with a hamstring issue.

6.8k

Nov 4th 2022, 1:30 PM

Paulie

O'Connell: Back in my time, we didn't have many guys with these athletic profiles

Paul O’Connell says he has been ‘blown away’ by the standard and attitude of the players in the Emerging Ireland squad.

12.7k

Oct 8th 2022, 7:00 PM

Clontarf Legend

'I don't know how Paul O'Connell knew who I was. He just said, 'Howiya, Matt?''

Clontarf captain Matt D’Arcy had a stint in the pro game with Munster.

44.2k

Sep 18th 2022, 7:00 AM

Tomorrow is a huge day for Paul O'Connell and his Irish forwards

Scrum coach John Fogarty and his pack also need to show they have found solutions.

8.1k

Jul 8th 2022, 4:46 PM

Speed of Ball

'Targeting' and ending contests early - POC pushes Ireland's LQB at the ruck

The breakdown battle will be as crucial as ever at Twickenham this weekend.

25.7k

Updated

Mar 9th 2022, 8:31 AM

Paulie

'One of the big things I’ve noticed about Irish players, they’re so conscientious about getting better'

Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell is currently helping the squad prepare for a 12 March date with England at Twickenham.

9.8k

Mar 4th 2022, 6:30 AM

Cian is Able

Paul O'Connell: 'We are very happy with what we have behind Andrew Porter'

Andrew Porter has been ruled out of the remainder of this year’s Championship but Paul O’Connell is not fretting over his absence.

9.5k

Mar 3rd 2022, 2:19 PM

the first cap

'I’m getting a shot, we’ll see how it goes' - Remembering Paul O'Connell's Ireland debut

Twenty years ago, a young Paul O’Connell won his first Test cap in a Six Nations clash with Wales at Lansdowne Road.

27.5k

Feb 5th 2022, 10:00 AM

All time

growing force

'To be fair, when he's in that position it's 90% him and 10% the lifter'

Rónan Kelleher was impressive at hooker during Ireland’s superb November Test series.

20.5k

Dec 1st 2021, 4:50 PM

Analysis

Paul O'Connell's influence continues to grow as Ireland's pack dominates

The former Munster and Ireland lock has made a big impact since joining in January.

33.3k

Updated

Nov 24th 2021, 9:00 AM

learning from the best

'He's had a real impact' - O'Connell's influence paying off for Ryan

The Ireland lock is in good form after a difficult season last year.

11.3k

Nov 18th 2021, 7:00 AM

Old friends

'I loved my time here and really enjoyed working with Paul in particular'

New Zealand forwards coach John Plumtree was with Ireland for the 2013/14 season.

19.0k

Nov 9th 2021, 10:19 PM

Nous

O'Connell excited by 'dynamic' Ireland pack as coaching journey continues

This time a year ago, O’Connell wasn’t keen on being in involved in the professional game.

7.6k

Nov 9th 2021, 6:30 AM

production line

Ireland's XV includes 12 players who came through the Leinster academy

The three other starters are natives of New Zealand.

12.3k

Nov 5th 2021, 12:53 PM

Celtic League

'The whole Pro14 Rainbow Cup has turned into a mishmash competition'

Former Wales captain Sam Warburton thinks the Pro14 is making too many changes.

10.6k

Apr 21st 2021, 10:00 PM

takes one to know one

Paul O'Connell says Owen Farrell is 'real standout' to lead Lions in South Africa

The Ireland forwards coach was at the helm for the Lions’ last series against the Springboks in 2009.

8.4k

Apr 15th 2021, 3:57 PM

Nous

O'Connell the perfect fit for Lions if Gatland is going to add 'extra resource'

The Lions head coach said they ‘may bring someone else in a little bit later on.’

8.5k

Apr 14th 2021, 6:00 AM

Euro Vision

Ulster determined to 'take step forward' insists Rob Herring

Ulster face Quins at The Stoop on Sunday.

2.9k

Apr 2nd 2021, 8:43 AM

rugby brain

England wary of O'Connell influence ahead of lineout battle with Ireland

Ireland have made 14 lineout steals so far in this championship.

8.2k

Mar 18th 2021, 8:40 AM

set-piece

Paul O'Connell's stock continues to rise as Scotland's lineout crumbles

James Ryan led the onslaught in what was perhaps the most crucial area of the game.

14.4k

Mar 14th 2021, 8:06 PM

Paulie

'He's really lifted everyone up' - O'Connell keeping Ireland's standards in check

Iain Henderson says the Ireland squad have benefitted from having a fresh pair of eyes in the coaching team.

15.3k

Updated

Mar 11th 2021, 5:00 PM

The42 Rugby Weekly

'He was obsessed with the breakdown, particularly when he got involved with Schmidt'

Speaking on The42 Rugby Weekly, Mike Sherry and Bernard Jackman detailed what Paul O’Connell will bring to Ireland.

26.4k

Feb 4th 2021, 5:02 PM

hard at work

O'Connell the coach looks to move past 'aura' of his playing career

Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell hopes Andy Farrell’s squad will see beyond any preconceived notions of him.

12.6k

Feb 3rd 2021, 6:00 AM

Impact

'I felt I could immediately offer value to the coaching staff and the players'

New Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell says he was surprised to be offered the job by Andy Farrell.

6.0k

Feb 2nd 2021, 3:07 PM

Icon

'Paul O'Connell has an aura, a presence - he's a world class operator'

Munster and Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne has outlined the impact the former Lions captain has had in Ireland camp.

21.2k

Jan 29th 2021, 8:12 PM

game of throw-ins

How Paul O'Connell might go about resolving Ireland's lineout issues

‘I know the Stade Francais players who worked with him — the forwards — thought he was world-class,’ said Bernard Jackman of O’Connell on The42 Rugby Weekly.

19.2k

Updated

Jan 7th 2021, 8:01 PM

Addition

Paul O'Connell joins Ireland set-up as forwards coach

‘I am really looking forward to working with Andy (Farrell) and the rest of the coaching group’, said the Irish legend.

32.5k

Jan 7th 2021, 10:55 AM

High praise

'A lot of similarities to Paulie': Earls hails diligent new skipper

James Ryan’s presence is being felt through the Ireland squad.

7.8k

Nov 17th 2020, 2:51 PM

Out of the bubble

Pro coaching 'too full-on' for O'Connell as he enjoys watching Ireland change

The 41-year-old isn’t looking to get back into the game in a permanent coacing role.

40.0k

Oct 29th 2020, 12:00 PM

Homegrown

'It's great to see Munster being brave and selecting some of the younger guys'

Paul O’Connell has been impressed by the likes of Ben Healy and John Hodnett.

10.3k

Oct 29th 2020, 7:30 AM

tourist

'He can do it all' - O'Connell backs Dan Leavy as a Lions bolter

The 26-year-old made his return from injury for Leinster last weekend.

9.5k

Oct 29th 2020, 12:10 AM

New Deal

'It was tough leaving Leinster but it was definitely the right decision'

Jordi Murphy has signed a new two-contract to keep him at Ulster until 2022 at least.

9.5k

May 20th 2020, 4:06 PM