Paul O'Connell has played his final game in an Irish shirt. Official confirmation arrived from the IRFU with the news that Mike McCarthy comes in to take his place in the Ireland squad.
The end of his Ireland career arrived when he suffered a sickeningly painful injury that left him prone on the Millennium Stadium turf.
But his standing as one of the greatest Irish rugby players of all time is assured.
We try to do justice in GIF form.
Driving Ben McCalman back to New South Wales
From the final moments of Ireland's 26-23 victory over Australia last year. Managed to send two players tumbling to the ground with one tackle. Perfection.
He doesn't need words to tell Simon Zebo what to do
O'Connell decided that Zebo needed to go into contact rather than getting any notions about a weaving run.
He knew where Zebo needed to go, but time was of the essence. Rather than verbally inform Zebo, O'Connell altered the winger's trajectory in the most efficient way possible.
Wrestling skills
With three Italians looming over him, he used impressive wrestling skills to turn the tables.
Lineout majesty
O'Connell ruled the skies for 14 years.
Tries
O'Connell scored eight tries in 108 tests for Ireland.
Carrying players On his back
He was capable of the odd Ginger McLoughlin impression.
Smash
A tackle that an outside centre would be proud of. Not just the ferocity of the tackle, but the perfect defensive read and timing.
The definitive O'Connell image
It's a thing of beauty. O'Connell almost always delivered on the big day, destroying the Welsh lineout in the Grand Slam game of 2009.
Read more: VIDEO: The Standing Ovation That Paul O'Connell Received As He Was Stretchered Off
