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Paul’s Diary: Sled-Pulling And Lineout Trends

Sidelined Ireland lock Paul O’Connell gives an insight into his recovery from the knee injury which forced him out of the RBS 6 Nations, and talks about the England match and his time away from the pitch.

Munster physiotherapist Dave O’Sullivan – he came from the Leeds Rhinos rugby league club – is continuing to work me hard in terms of my rehabilitation on the knee injury, in fact harder than I thought from the start with a knee injury of this nature.

I was doing some leg weights last week and this week, he’s added some sled-pulling to the regime. I’m still wearing the brace – it’ll be on for two weeks – but I’m feeling very good.

I have watched a few games on DVD for analysis purposes and to keep an eye on lineout trends and the like: Super 15, Aviva Premiership and some of Munster’s matches.

I have been able to spend a lot of time mucking around with my son Paddy, which I think has been good for both of us.

I don’t know as yet where I will be watching the England v Ireland game but it won’t be in a pub and I’m definitely not going to London.

My preference would be to watch the game with a couple of friends. I like the banter. It’ll be a massive occasion, a resurgent England team, in front of their own crowd, against an Ireland side that’s improved throughout the campaign, taking place on St. Patrick’s Day.

England will be very physical, something they always bring to a match, irrespective of what form they are in and I’d expect them to be very combative in terms of the collisions and set pieces. I’d expect it to be a really great spectacle.

I’d like to wish the Ireland Under-20s, Women’s and Club teams the very best of luck in their games against England, a case of more of the same (from last week when there was a clean sweep).