The nephew of Ireland and Lions legend Paul O'Connell will become the youngest person to ever play for Munster this weekend
Evan O'Connell has been selected on the replacements bench for Munster's United Rugby Championship interpro against Ulster on Saturday.
A member of the National Talent Squad, the 18-year-old lined out for the Munster U18 Schools team at the start of the season.
He also captained Castletroy in the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup this year before lining out for Ireland in this year’s U18 Six Nations Festival.
Munster: Mike Haley; Shane Daly, Malakai Fekitoa, Rory Scannell, Patrick Campbell; Jack Crowley, Paddy Patterson; Dave Kilcoyne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan; Edwin Edogbo, Eoin O’Connor; Jack O’Donoghue (C), John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Evan O’Connell, Cian Hurley, Neil Cronin, Ben Healy, Simon Zebo.
Paul O'Connell facts:
- The lock was given the Freedom of Limerick City in 2012
- O’Connell was awarded Irish Sports Book of the Year in 2016 for The Battle
- He was good at swimming as a child and only turned to rugby at the age of 16
- O'Connell scored eight tries and played 108 Tests for Ireland from 2002 to 2015
- He played on three British & Irish Lions tours and captained the team for the 2009 tour to South Africa. Overall, he played seven Tests across the 2005, 2009 and 2013 tours.
RANKED: Which 2022 Autumn Squad Has the Most Foreign-Born Players?
#4. IRELAND - 8: One more than 2021
- Jeremy Loughman (USA)
- Rob Herring (South Africa)
- Finlay Bealham (Australia)
- Joe McCarthy (USA)
- Jamison Gibson-Park (New Zealand)
- Joey Carbery (New Zealand)
- Ciaran Frawley (Australia)
- Mack Hansen (Australia)
#3. ENGLAND - 8: Four more than 2021
Having been openly critical of Scotland and Wales for their selection policy, Eddie Jones has recalled a few legends while also bringing in a number of uncapped players born overseas.
You can see the full squad for the games against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa next month by clicking here.
- Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)
- Marcus Smith (Phillipines)
- Bevan Rodd (Scotland)
- David Ribbans (South Africa)
- Mako Vunipola (New Zealand)
- Billy Vunipola (Australia)
- Val Rapava-Ruskin (Georgia)
- Joe Cokanasiga (Fiji)
Marcus Smith of England scores a penalty during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
#2.WALES - 11 players: Three less than 2021
- Josh Macleod (Monaco)
- Tomas Francis (England)
- Ben Carter (England)
- Will Rowlands (England)
- Taulupe Faletau (Tonga)
- Dan Lydiate (England)
- Christ Tshiunza (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Gareth Anscombe (New Zealand)
- George North (England)
- Nick Tompkins (England)
- Alex Cuthbert (England)
Taulupe Faletau during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
#1.SCOTLAND - 17: Same as 2021
- Ewan Ashman (Canada)
- WP Nel (South Africa)
- Pierre Schoeman (South Africa)
- Sam Skinner (England)
- Josh Bayliss (England)
- Andy Christie (England)
- Jack Dempsey (Australia)
- Nick Haining (Australia)
- Hamish Watson (England)
- Ali Price (England)
- Ben White (England)
- Chris Harris (England)
- Cameron Redpath (France)
- Sione Tuipulotu (Australia)
- Rufus McLean (USA)
- Kyle Steyn (South Africa)
- Duhan van der Mewe (South Africa)
Final whistle celebrations for Scott Steele of Scotland and Hamish Watson of Scotland during the Six Nations Championship, 127th Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on January 6 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
