It was almost a surprise in late April when rumours intensified that Paul O'Connell was on the verge of a move to Toulon. Every news report and interview with O'Connell last season until that point had suggested that he was leaning towards retiring after the World Cup, or he would stay on and fulfill his IRFU contract until 2016.
Now it's emerging that we weren't being duped, O'Connell really was leaning towards retiring from rugby altogether.
It took an extraordinary effort from Toulon to get O'Connell to change his mind and give playing rugby in the south of France a go. Toulon head coach Bernard Laporte was speaking to Sud Radio in France last night and revealed how close the talisman was to calling it a day.
Laporte says that they called O'Connell every week to try and persuade him to come to the three-time European champions to replace the retiring Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams. It took a long time, but eventually O'Connell relented and decide to try one last adventure before he hangs up his boots.
It goes to show how badly the galacticos of Toulon wanted O'Connell, and they are looking forward to having his experience and drive in their squad. The 35-year-old has signed a two-year contract and should see out his career in the demanding Top 14 in a squad rotation system with the other galacticos.
We had the heavy task of adding to and replacing Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams. Paul O'Connell wanted to stop playing but we called every week and he finally accepted. Toulon will be great for him to make the transition to coaching by sharing his experience. He will bring another dimension.
Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE
