GALLERY: Paul O'Connell

Here he contests possession with Frank Fitzgerald of St Mary's whilst playing for Young Munster in 2000

A young O'Connell celebrates scoring a try on his Ireland debut against Wales in 2002. He later said: 'I scored a try but I don't remember it'

Paul O'Connell picks up a man of the match award in January 2002

The second row comes under pressure against France in the 2004 Six Nations

The Limerick man feels the squeeze against Harlequins in the Heineken Cup in January 2005

The forward makes a tackle during the 2006 Heineken Cup game against Bourgoin

A determined O'Connell in Heineken Cup semi-final action against Leinster in 2006

Champions at last - Here with the Heineken Cup trophy in 2006 after beating Biarritz

The lock forward bursts through in the Heineken Cup against Saracens in 2007

Paul O'Connell against Namibia in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France

It's a dirty job - Playing for Young Munster in 2008

The Munster man watches on as Jamie Cudmore of Clermont Auvergne is sent off during their Heineken Cup clash in 2008

Paul O'Connell celebrating the 2008 Heineken Cup final win over Toulouse

Paul O'Connell celebrates Ireland's 6 Nations Grand Slam following victory over Wales in Cardiff in 2009

The great man relaxes at home shortly after Ireland's 2009 Grand Slam win

Paul O'Connell celebrates scoring a try against Ospreys in a Heineken Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park in 2009

Paul O'Connell congratulates Gordon D'Arcy after the Heineken Cup semi-final defeat in 2009

Paul O'Connell plays with local children in Cape Town during the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa

Paul O'Connell holds back Harry Ellis as the Lyons take on South Africa in the 2009 tour

Lions captain Paul O'Connell is congratulated by coach Ian McGeechan following a Test win over South Africa in 2009

With Munster team-mate Jerry Flannery and young fan Charlie Mulqueen at a 2011 training session

Paul O'Connell in action as Ireland lose to Wales in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Paul O'Connell is tackled by Ruan Pienaar of Ulster in the 2012 Heineken Cup quarter-final

Paul O'Connell plays hurling during training at the 2013 Lions tour of Australia

Paul O'Connell in action against Australia in the 2013 Lions tour

Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll celebrate Six Nations victory in 2014

In Heineken Cup action against Clermont Auvergne in 2014

Paul O'Connell captained Ireland to glory in the 2015 Six Nations

Paul O'Connell trudges off the field following Pro12 final defeat to Glasgow in Belfast in 2015 - his last competitive game for Munster

Paul O'Connell with wife Emily and son Paddy following his last game for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in 2015

Paul O'Connell and the Ireland squad enjoy some down time during the 2015 WRC

Paul O'Connell claims a lineout in Ireland's 2015 RWC win over Italy

Paul O'Connell enjoys a weights session at the RWC 2015

Paul O'Connell wins a lineout against Canada at the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Two bulls - Paul O'Connell and Sean O'Brien warm up at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

Paul O'Connell played his last game for Ireland against France at the 2015 Rugby World Cup