He's not quite the last man standing – at 32 he's just a babe in arms alongside Ronan O'Gara and Marcus Horan – but there's something about the great, square-jawed figure of Paul O'Connell that sets him apart, not just as the figurehead for Munster but as the living embodiment of the side who emerged from provincial obscurity to become giants of European rugby in the first decade of this century.
He's not quite the last man standing – at 32 he's just a babe in arms alongside Ronan O'Gara and Marcus Horan – but there's something about the great, square-jawed figure of Paul O'Connell that sets him apart, not just as the figurehead for Munster but as the living embodiment of the side who emerged from provincial obscurity to become giants of European rugby in the first decade of this century.
Paul O'Connell wants Munster's youngsters to be given time Photograph: Getty
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Alasdair Reid
With the notable exception of Martin Johnson, few captains have imposed their own character on a team as firmly as O'Connell did with Munster. Redoubtable, determined, unyielding: the words most commonly used to describe the mighty lock would fit just as easily around his side. Whether hammering opponents in brutal forward battles or salvaging victories with last-minute scores, Munster's greatest moments could all be counted as expressions of O'Connell's will.
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