THE MONEY WOULD be unreal. That is one reason for Paul O’Connell to leave Munster, the only professional club he has ever played for, and move to the south of France to join the Toulon galacticos.
Yesterday, the French club and Munster both denied the report in the French media that linked the Ireland captain with the move but were Paulie to declare an interest, you can be sure that Toulon’s owner Mourad Boudjellal would show up at his house in Limerick bearing gifts.
A couple of million gifts, you would think.
The cash would be an attraction but Paul O’Connell’s stature in Ireland means that he is already very well paid – both in salary and endorsements.
But there are reasons other than money that would make Toulon an ideal place for O’Connell to play on for maybe one season after the World Cup. Of course, his current IRFU deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2016, meaning he would need to be released a year early, which would almost certainly never happen.
But if it did, Paulie would almost certainly excel in France. His rucking and lineout ability would be massive assets in the forward orientated Top 14 and his presence at the set-piece would help shore up the one area where Toulon have looked vulnerable this season.
O’Connell is a student of the game and you get the feeling that he would love to test himself every week in what is probably the most talent-rich league in the world at the moment. The certainty of contesting season-ending games would be big too.
Toulon have made the last three European Cup finals and are on course for their fourth straight Top 14 final. Considering who they have added ahead of next season, that run doesn’t look set to end in the near future.
With the retirement of Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams, a second row partnership of O’Connell and Samu Manoa would be even more frightening than the club’s current duo.
Munster aren’t in a bad place at the moment, especially given the recent signing of All Black centre Francis Saili, but even their most passionate fan would struggle to argue that they are favourites for next season’s Champions Cup.
Would Munster fans begrudge one of their legends one season abroad to end his career? Some would probably be angry, but you would like to think the majority would wish him well.
It wouldn’t be Johnny Sexton leaving for two seasons in his prime, this would be a 36-year-old second row extending his career in one of the world’s nicest environments.
The south of France air has rejuvenated plenty of players and given their careers a second wind. Jonny Wilkinson, Juan Smith and Carl Hayman are three veterans who rediscovered their best form after showing up in Toulon.
Would it really be so bad if O’Connell commuted to Dublin during February and March as Ireland attempt a Six Nations three in-a-row?
To make any potential move easier on Munster fans, we have created a mock-up of what Paul O’Connell would look like celebrating Toulon’s fourth Champions Cup in succession (we used Carl Hayman’s body).
Doesn’t look that bad of a fit, does it?
Whatever he decides to do, I wish him well.
Paulie is a legend
Well I suppose it’s the same reasons all our best players should bugger off to France. I’m all for a bit of loyalty and a bit more investment to keep our boys at home.
I think most Munster fans would love to see O’Connell in the dug out one day, and its hard to argue that going away and experiencing a different system, broadening horizons and experiencing a different culture wouldn’t benefit that enormously. If he did move away, imagine an O’Connell-O’Gara coaching ticket coming back one day. Intuitively, this feels better than promoting straight through the ranks without going away and earning coaching credentials elsewhere. Just trying to think of an example where that’s happened and its been a bit rocky……… Hmmmmm…. nope, can’t think of one.
Also, that clips from Brewster’s Millions isn’t it? Love that movie.
Paulie is a legend and always will be. I just hope his departure will be treated with the respect it deserves unlike the farewell ROG got which as a diehard Munster fan was despicable
What sort of farewell should ROG have gotten? Didn’t he have a testimonial dinner?
He never got his bunch of flowers and photo in the Douglas Post
Leave the rugby to Murray Kinsella Will.
Its like a piece pat mc carry would have produced..
Whatever about the money on offer, Paul O’Connell is fiercely loyal to Munster and is a damn proud Limerick man too. I can’t see him playing anywhere else before his retirement, which he has already indicated will be after the world cup. .
Ah jaysus it’s like BODs long goodbye retirement all over again. Lol
Given Paul O’Connell’s performances for Ireland this year, under Joe Schmidt, it is hard to argue that O’Connell is not still (in reality) in his prime. Also, a move to Toulon (even at this stage in O’Connell’s career) would further damage the crucial principle that players who play for Ireland should play their rugby in Ireland, and would set a bad example for other good Irish players (particularly as O’Connell is such a high-profile player).
Paul O’Connell could play at the highest level for another two or three years in Ireland, and then take a swan-song down in Toulon to “rejuvenate” his career. The accomplished second-row, Brad Thorn, continued to play first-class rugby until he was 40 years of age; there is no reason why Paul O’Connell (still only 36, and with a professional work ethic equal to Thorn) could not do the same.
Been a pretty average second row for some time now, so I think Munster should say thanks and good luck.
Yeah was crap during 6 nations too! What a load of shite!!
Good stuff Robson, you’ve changed your name and even changed it again so you could reply to your own comment, elaborate but brilliant.
Glen do you watch rugby you fool im a dub and love watching munster because he is a legend
Eoghan, if you are talking about this thread, I only have one account and I’m only responsible for the reply.
Hes not talking about u.
BAC, out of curiosity, what has being a Dub anything to do with Glens trolling?
At 35 and with all those years of toil in the “engine room” Paulie has to think long and hard on any playing career extension post World Cup. Doubtless he will still be as fit as a fiddle, come the time, but he has to carefully weigh up risks of continuing.
He’ll have done it all if Ireland can triumph at WC!
A career in the Corporate world might be a better option in the long run for the Maestro, rather than a risky two year pension-topper-upper at the likes of Toulon.
Good man Glen. You’re obviously a student of the game. I look forward to your next insight……
Sexton was an anomaly a quick financial hit and a chance to learn french, current irish internationals wont go to france because they are Molly coddled here in comparison. However when retired from the international set up they will go. O’Connell deserves all he gets if he goes. it would be a huge change to play in front big home crowds every week.
Yeah it was the french language he was after alright. Jesus.
That Photoshop would frighten the chillers…PAULIE MAD!! PAULIE SMASH!!
I thought if he had a choice between pau and Toulon he would choose pau with his former colleagues there
more likely. Been linked to Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble too
Pau could and would arguably pay a higher wage also.
If O’Connell feels that he can contribute to winning trophies I think he’ll be putting all his efforts into helping Munster get those trophies
Id wish him well in whatever he decides. Id just ask him to stay for next season though because I be interested to see what axel can do the new backs signings with paulie leading what is actully becomimg a good pack now its had the season to settle. Please ;)
He could go to Pau (with Simon Mannix as manager & close of Auch where POC got married + Total is the sponsor planning to invest more money). Pau will play top 14 next year. Who knows?
Will, the standard of your articles have gone through the roof over the last few months, I’ve read lots of your pieces thinking “another great piece by Murray” until I saw your name at the end. Fair play.
But this is just click bait sh*te.
The inanity of this ‘article’ graphically demonstrates the irrelevance of The42
Ireland’s Own or any Murdoch red-top would be a more appropriate forum.
Haven’t Toulon signed Eben Etzebth as well?
No(t yet), would a good replacement for Bakkies though.
POC’s my favourite irish player after ROG and i’d hate to see him leaving my irish favourite side even to joint RCT
Now from a toulonnaise perspective, with 300 sunny days/yr, sunscreen suppliers would be delighted.
Have no idea how much he earns in Ireland, all i know is that Bakkies “The enforcer” Botha is on 400-450.000€/year. God forbid, if Paulie joins Toulon, he wouldn’t get that much, since he’d miss preseason + 8 to 12 Top14 games.
I’ve also heared about tax advantages he’d lose by he leaving the country, and that his child is too old for such a move. So do you think it’s worth it?
After retirement, if he doesn’t get a coaching role in Munster or National, we could welcome him in Toulon as a line out coach, à la Victor Matfield with the Bulls or ROG at Racing. Cheers
Bearing in mind his last year of PRO rugby must be played in Ireland for him to enjoy the lucrative tax breaks players get …Is this all a storm in a teacup ?
Slow news day with no Irish team been left in Heineken cup ! !
Whatever he decides, the public will support his decision.
If he does go it would be a great life-experience, he’d earn a load of money and he would also get a lot more perspective on a different side of rugby which would only benefit his post-rugby career.
Benefits to staying too.
Toulon are the downfall of French Rugby. They are ruining the national side’s reputation and aren’t producing young talent. I’d hate for POC to go there.
If money is the issue here then say no more. He was very good in his day, and after this World Cup I think his day will be over. He should finish his days with Munster, and ride into the sunset. He will have done enough.