The former Lions, Irish, Munster and Young Munster player is ‘delighted’ to be back in the coaching squad coming up to the Six Nations and was talking at today’s Ireland’s press conference
“I’d be in contact with Andy, I was in the camp last year,” O’Connell said on Tuesday ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Wales this weekend.
“I’d be in contact with Simon [Easterby] and a few of the other coaches. Andy asked me after the Autumn Nations Cup would I be interested in getting involved.
“I took a few weeks to think about it and decided it was the right thing for me to do.
La rueda de prensa de Paul O'Connell sobre la preparación de Irlanda para el inicio del 6 Naciones.pic.twitter.com/lXKMZyFHKM
— Javier Señarís Senra (@RutgerBlume) February 2, 2021
“I feel I can offer value. I have an awful lot to learn, certainly as a coach, but I felt I could immediately offer value to the coaching staff and the players, and it’s a great opportunity.
“I think international coaching is very different. You get that development opportunity, you get a chance to reflect. You get a chance to improve during the times you are not coaching, when you are not stuck in a tournament.
“When you are in the middle of a tournament it’s full on.
“My recent connection to playing, you could say it’s a weakness, but I think it’s a strength as well.
“You are still clued in to what a player feels and how a player learns and how hard it can be to learn at times and to change a habit, so that was it. I was excited when he rang me and I think he’s got a really good environment here.
“The players enjoy it. I suppose there’s a very collaborative approach, which I would have seen when I was in with them last year, whenever I speak to the players.
“It’s a great environment to join and the opportunity excited me.”