Paul O’Connell set for first international coaching role with Irish Under 20’s

It has been announced today that former Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Paul O’Connell will join the Irish Under 20’s as an assistant coach for the upcoming Six Nations.

O’Connell, since retiring in 2015, has worked in an advisory role with the Munster academy as well as an ambassadorial role with Aldi for their Play Rugby programme which introduces non-contact forms of rugby to primary schools.

O’Connell will work with Ireland U20 Head Coach Noel McNamara and assistant coaches Ambrose Conboy and Tom Tierney as they prepare the squad for festive matches against Leinster A and Munster A.

The former second row will work with Ireland under 20’s new head coach Noel McNamara as well as assistants Ambrose Conboy and Tom Tierney with the side’s first fixtures coming over the festive period against Munster A’ and Leinster A’.

Breaking News: @Paul_OConnell has joined the Ireland U20 Coaching staff as an Assistant Coach starting today ahead of festive fixtures v @leinsterrugby A & @Munsterrugby A #FutureIsGreen 😀 pic.twitter.com/9RXeIQeZJX

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) December 20, 2017

The Nat West U20 6 Nations Championship kicks off against France on February 2nd.

IRELAND UNDER-20 (sponsored by PWC) FIXTURES:
Ireland U20s v Leinster ‘A’, Thursday, December 21, Donnybrook kick-off tbc
Ireland U20s v Munster ‘A’, Friday, December 29, Thomond Park, 1pm
France U20s v Ireland U20s, Friday, February 2, Amedee Domenech, 9pm/8pm Irish time
Ireland U20s v Italy U20s, Friday, February 9, Donnybrook, 7.15 pm
Ireland U20s v Wales U20s, Friday, February 23, Donnybrook, 7.15pm
Ireland U20s v Scotland U20s, Friday, March 9, Donnybrook, 7.15pm
Engalnd U20s v Ireland U20s, Friday, March 16, Ricoh Arena, 8pm