Munster the only option for O'Connell

RUGBY:WHATEVER ABOUT their controversial new policies towards recruitment of overseas players, the IRFU undoubtedly know how to look after their own, both financially and in terms of player welfare. The latest evidence of this came in the way Paul O'Connell has re-signed with Munster and Ireland for another two years without so much as a furtive glance abroad.

Confirming the possibility of looking elsewhere had never really been considered when speaking at Munster’s media day at the University of Limerick yesterday, O’Connell said: “I suppose you have to really express an interest to leave for that to happen or there would have to be problems with the negotiations, or whatever. For me, I was happy enough and we got it done fairly quickly.”

It helps too that the so-called Charlie McCreevy tax rebate for professional Irish sports athletes has encouraged many leading players to stay put, but in any event, the Munster captain said the negotiations were relatively painless.

A few years ago O’Connell admitted he would probably have regarded this contract, which will keep him at Munster and Ireland until he is 35, as the last of his career. But the flip side of missing virtually the whole of 2011 is it may help extend his career. “My body feels in great nick. I’m being very well looked after here by the fitness staff, and Bryce Cavanagh in particular, so I feel in good shape.

“It was great to get a proper pre-season under my belt this year, get a good run of high intensity games injury-free, and it’s left me in good shape now.”

Indeed, a striking feature of the Munster set-up is how so many of their players have continued playing into their mid-30s; witness John Hayes, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer, to name a few.

“In fairness to the IRFU we are well looked after, there’s no doubt about that,” said O’Connell. “We don’t get flogged and that’s probably a big contributing factor to that. Guys have managed their bodies well and have looked after themselves, and it definitely allows you to perform when you’re older. It seems to be that guys are playing a lot older than they would have 10-15 years ago.”

While the collisions and intensity of games has intensified, he attributes this longevity to the way players are managed, specifically the manner they recover and regenerate themselves from injuries, games and training.

“That’s where rugby is probably making the biggest strides in terms of looking after bodies, to allow you to perform week after week. It’s everything, it’s nutrition, it’s rest – sleep is a massive part – we’re doing a lot of mobility here in Munster, little 15-20 minute sessions in which you mobilise the bodies, especially the older guys. We do a lot of pool work. There are a load of little things that contribute to looking after the body. Nutrition, sleep and rest are the big things.”

In what might have been a difficult, transitional season for the province, O’Connell’s tour de force performances have been close to vintage, though the recently confirmed Irish captain maintains there’s better to come from him and team alike.

“I think I’ve been in better condition. I think I’m getting there and it’s close to where I want to be. Form-wise, there is a lot more in me and a lot more in a lot of us playing for Munster at the moment,” he said, emphasising Munster’s fitful rather than consistent 80 minute efforts to date.

Another factor in his fairly routine decision to stay within the Munster fold is his young son, which has also changed his lifestyle away from rugby.

“At the moment it’s probably all around Paddy, my little son, because I used to play golf but it’s not easy to go training all day and then come home to his mammy and tell her that I’m going golfing for three hours.

“He’s 20 months so it’s a very enjoyable age just to potter around with him. I enjoy being around the lads too and training and having the craic too. A lot of the guys I play with are my closest friends so it’s not really a job anyway. At the moment that’s about it, it’s rugby and family.”

Sounds like he’s in a good place.