Injured: Paul O'Connell
Ireland have been struck by another blow after it was confirmed that lock Paul O'Connell will miss Saturday's international clash with South Africa.
O'Connell returned to training at the start of this week and took a full part in the squad sessions held at Carton House on Monday and Tuesday.
However, the Munster second-row suffered a reaction and will not be fit for selection for this weekend's game against the Springboks.
Veteran O'Connell will see a specialist in the coming days and an update will be issued by the Irish Rugby Football Union in due course.
Ireland will name their squad on Thursday.
Comments
dannylomu says...
@paddy your fat!
Posted 21:06 08th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
It's not so much that o'connell is over the hill. It's more that he never amounted to a hill of beans. Early days he was mentioned as the next Martin Johnson but he never got there. I think there are better locks in Ireland and this is no loss.
Posted 13:35 08th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Bring on the previews Planet Rugby! :)
Posted 12:51 08th November 2012
pierredelot1 says...
A great loss, but as I have said before age takes its toll.The fact that he gets injured mearly reflects the number of times he's laid it on the line for Ireland, not only that but he is still the best there is in the green shirt by a country mile at International level. Ireland are going to be lucky to avoid a major hammering here, none of there World Class players either available or showing any sign of form and to date none of the new recruits look anything like the real thing. Better find some class quick or the writing will be on the wall
Posted 12:44 08th November 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
99 call - good points. A back three of Bowe at 15 and Zebo and Gilroy on the wings would be fun.
Posted 12:04 08th November 2012
Irishzimbabwean says...
Good comment cabhan - I totally agree!
Posted 12:03 08th November 2012
kid_diablo says...
@Michtymauler: his name is quinn roux and he arrived at leinster during the summer :)
Posted 11:14 08th November 2012
Cabhan says...
Hes an absolutely massive loss. All the crap talk about hang up your boots, if hes willing to keep going and continue all the rehab from injuries, hes still the best second row in Ireland by a country mile. Like the rest of the team in the 3rd test in NZ, Tuohy and Ryan didn't function. They're both good lineout operators, but O'Connell is the best on his day. It seems like we lose every restart when hes not there. Can see SA completely out muscling us. We're now missing the last 2 European Players of the Year and the last 2 Lions captains. Huge blow, hopefully hes fit for the Argies.
Posted 10:47 08th November 2012
browny15 says...
If thats the case O Driscoll should retire also!! Some sad people on this site...Paddy keep sitting your couch eating crisps and drinking coke and you might achieve something!! Norm, nice support for a true legend. The guy is not over the hill by a long way. He'll get himself right and lead the lions for sure.
Posted 10:25 08th November 2012
spike19 says...
Cant see Ireland beating what looks like a very strong SA team especially without the totems of Best, O'Connell, Ferris, O'Brien, BOD, Kearney. We just don't have the depth coming through to replace front line players. Its hard to see the likes of Strauss, Tuohy, O'Mahony, Henry filling the void in the pack. Particularly as the Boks will put the squeeze on up front.
Posted 10:13 08th November 2012
Norm says...
@Paddy
What you say has a lot of truth in it and on some of your points you will see in my previous post I am to a certain extent in agreement with, however I stand by what I said, that you think YOU can call this man a joke particularly says a bucket load about you.
Posted 09:41 08th November 2012
99call says...
Now we'll see what kidneys made of with his selection, this is what I would want to see
Healy, Strauss, Ross, Tuohy, Ryan, Mclaughlin, Henry, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, Darcy, Cave, Bowe, Trimble, Earls
But I would put money on this being the team
Healy, Strauss, Ross, DOC, Ryan, Mclaughlin, OMahony, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, Darcy, McFadden, Bowe, Trimble, Earls
If McFadden is picked at 13 I wont be watching the game as the Safas will just run straight over him
Posted 09:36 08th November 2012
J_Hdk says...
Paul, I'm afraid it's time to hang up your boots and move into a role to halp develop the younger talent.
Flannery went on two years longer than he should. It got to a stage where a light breeze would see him out of action for weeks. For tge sake of your own body, go now
Posted 09:04 08th November 2012
gazzabok says...
I wouldn't want to face Eben Etzebeth either...
Posted 08:56 08th November 2012
Michtymauler says...
Paul has been a great player for club and country. Don't worry however as I'm sure there's some South Efrikaan somewhere who's never even been to Europe getting ready to fly over and fill Paul's boots!! Lol
Posted 08:47 08th November 2012
paddy91317 says...
@norm
I said He is a joke when it comes to injuries you know he is going to pull up he hasnt had a constant run of games since before the world cup. give me an example of when he have recovered fully in the designated amount of time... he simply cant heal so he plays with injuries and hurts himself again in another bodypart so yeah it is a bit of a joke really because all the time in munster and in ireland camp used by him could have been used by a younger second row...he should have retired last year when he couldnt get over a dodgey knee...if he trys to play on he is going to seriously damage himself.
Posted 06:17 08th November 2012
mcdb06 says...
@paddy91317 Paul O'Connell and 'joke' aren't used in the same sentence
Posted 22:50 07th November 2012
Sincero says...
Heaslip or Sexton to captain??? Hmm...
Posted 22:37 07th November 2012
lacroix says...
not really a shock and not a loss in my opinion- been paying on reputation for far too long.
Posted 22:21 07th November 2012
sirtidychris says...
Mend up soon POC your still the best in the NH when fit !! perhaps a move to toulon will add another 5 years on your career,just ask former injury prone lions team mates wilko and Sherri
Posted 22:03 07th November 2012