Stay strong, rugby fans. Last weekend was Ireland's first Six Nations game since the international retirement of Paul O'Connell and after his midweek announcement, today marks the first Six Nations game since the second row has left the game entirely.
O'Connell retired completely during the week after failing to recover from a significant hamstring tear suffered while scavenging at the breakdown for possession against France during the World Cup. It was a cruelly apt way to go out for a player who put his body in the way of danger every single time he pulled on the green jersey.
For Irish rugby fans suffering from Paulie withdrawals, you can switch on BBC and see the former Ireland captain in a punditry role in Paris this afternoon for Ireland v France.
In the build-up to kick off BBC played this lovely montage celebrating the career of the Ireland legend. What stands out the most is just how baggy that jersey is for his first cap!
One thing that is interetsing to note during that montage is that as Paul O'Connell got older - even into his mid 30s - he continued to develop physically.
By the end of career he was carrying more muscle than he did during his Grand Slam-winning prime.
