O’Connell hangs up his playing boots

Former Ireland and Lions captain Paul O’Connell has announced that he has been forced to retire from playing rugby with immediate effect.

The 36-year-ol former Ireland captain retired from playing International rugby at the end of the World Cup when Ireland were eliminated.

O’Connell’s World Cup campaign was cut short as he injured a hamstring in Ireland’s loss to France and he has not played since.

While the 2009 British and Irish Lions captain had retired from playing International rugby he had signed a two year contract with French club Toulon.

O’Connell struggled to regain fitness with Toulon and before he got the chance to play for the club he was given medical advice to retire.

“It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice,” O’Connell said in a statement.

“Since sustaining the injury at the World Cup I have been fully focused on returning to fitness and starting an exciting new chapter for both myself and my family in Toulon.”

“Unfortunately this will no longer be possible.”

O’Connell won two Heineken Cups with Munster and played 108 times for Ireland. He also won seven caps for the British and Irish Lions.