It’s official: Paul O’Connell is leaving Munster and will retire from international rugby after World Cup

Only a matter of time until Toulon deal is announced

Paul O'Connell has played his final game for Munster, it has been confirmed today, while his last appearance in the green of Ireland will indeed be at this year's World Cup. The announcement comes as no surprise, as O'Connell had already said a farewell to the Munster faithful after the Pro12 semi-final victory over the Ospreys and has been widely linked to a final payday with French giants Toulon. In a statement released this afternoon, Munster said they will release O'Connell from the contract which was due to run for one more year, freeing him up to continue his club career away from these shores, although the 35-year-old indicated he was hopeful of returning to Thomond Park to rejoin Munster in a coaching capacity when his playing days are over. O'Connell said: "I would like to thank Munster Rugby and the IRFU for releasing me from my contract at the end of the Rugby World Cup. I have been hugely fortunate to play with one of the greatest sporting organisations in the world - and as a proud Limerick, Munster and Irishman, I will forever treasure my association with Munster Rugby. After the World Cup I would like to experience new environments, and it is my genuine hope and ambition that I will have some future involvement with Munster and Irish rugby." The Ireland captain has played 101 times for Ireland so far and 178 times for Munster, and Munster chief executive Garret Fitzgerald said: "Over a 14 year career with the province, Paul has epitomised what it means to wear the red jersey, and through his own hard-work, commitment and leadership he has become an iconic figure in world rugby. "A truly great ambassador for the province, he has been the standard-bearer of this team for over a decade and everyone around him has reaped the benefits of his professionalism and dedication. We would like to think this is not the final chapter in Paul's Munster story, and we would welcome future opportunities to work with him again."