Former Ireland Captain O'Connell Retires

Former Ireland and Lions captain Paul O'Connell has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 36-year-old forward, whose three Six Nations wins include a Grand Slam in 2009, tore a hamstring during last year's World Cup and has now accepted medical advice to call time on a professional career stretching back 14 years.

O'Connell's decision means he retires without playing a game for Toulon, the French club he joined last summer.

He said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at Toulon for their understanding and support over the past few months.

"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

"I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for over 14 years and to be part of Munster and Ireland teams that have experienced success.

"I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.

"I would like to thank those at Young Munster RFC, Munster Rugby, the IRFU and Lions Rugby who have supported me over the course of my playing career."

O'Connell's three Six Nations titles came in 2009, 2014 and 2015, and he was twice a Heineken Cup winner with Munster, the Irish side he served for 14 years.

The lock won 108 Ireland caps and toured three times with the Lions, captaining the side during their 2009 series in South Africa.