Paul O'Connell's Toulon switch from Munster finalised
Tuesday 16 June 2015 11:00, UK
Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has signed a two-year contract with European champions Toulon and will move after the World Cup.
The transfer of second row Connell, who has 101 caps for Ireland, is expected to be confirmed by the French club in the next few days and has been widely expected since last month.
The 35-year-old will lead Ireland at this autumn’s World Cup before leaving Munster for a move to the south of France.
Ireland's oldest captain of all time will offset the loss of World Cup-winning locks Bakkies Botha and Ali Williams, who both retired at the end of the current campaign.
Irish rugby and Munster chiefs last month agreed to release O'Connell from the remainder of his dual contract, which was set to run until June 2016, paving the way for his new challenge in France.
As well as his 101 caps for Ireland, O'Connell has also played on three British and Irish Lions tours and captained the tourists on their series in Australia in 2013.
Toulon have also confirmed that Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen and former England and British and Irish Lion Matt Stevens will also join the club.
