British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell (C) fights for the ball during their third and final international rugby test match against South Africa at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg July 4, 2009.

AP Photo 5 months ago

British Lions' captain Paul O'Connell, left, congratulates teammate Shane Williams after the international rugby union match against South Africa at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday July 4, 2009.

Captain of the British and Irish Lions, Paul O'Connell (L) competes for the ball during a line-out with Victor Matfield of South Africa (R) during their third and final international rugby test match at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg July 4,2009.

AP Photo 5 months ago

British and Irish Lions' captain Paul O'Connell, left catches a ball in front of teammate James Hook during a training session at St David's School, Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday July 3, 2009.

AP Photo 5 months ago

British Lions' Adam Jones, left, Tom Croft, second from left, Lee Mears, third from left, David Wallace, center, Paul O'Connell, right, Alun-Wyn Jones, second from right and Stephen Jones, partially visible, wait for the 4th officials decision on fellow team member Mike Phillips try dur...

AP Photo 6 months ago

British Lions player Paul O'Connell, center, is tackled by South Africa's Cheetahs defence Tewis de Bruyn, Hendro Scholtz and Corne Uys, during their rugby union match in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Saturday June 6, 2009.

British & Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell (R) leads his teammates in congratulating Royal Highveld XV at the end of their opening rugby match of their South Africa tour at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng, Rusternburg, May 30, 2009.

British & Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell (L) looses a lineout ball against Rynard Landman of the Royal Highveld XV during their opening rugby match of their South Africa tour at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng, Rusternburg, May 30, 2009.

British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell (L) participates in training with his teammates in Sandton, May 26, 2009. All 36 members of the Lions will get a chance to press their claims for a place in the three-test series against South Africa, head coach Ian McGeechan said on Monday.

British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell (L) and head coach Ian McGeechan (R) flank tour manager Gerald Davies during a news conference after their arrival for a three-test series in Johannesburg May 25, 2009.

Getty Images 7 months ago

Munster's Irish Lock Paul O'Connell (R) is tackled by Leinster's Irish Centre Brian O'Driscoll (L) during the Heineken European Cup semi-final rugby union match between Munster and Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on May 2, 2009.

Getty Images 7 months ago

Munster's Irish lock Paul O'Connell (L) consoles team-mate Irish centre Keith Earls (R) at the final whistle of the Heineken European Cup semi-final rugby union match between Munster and Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on May 2, 2009.

Getty Images 7 months ago

Munster's Irish Lock Paul O'Connell (R) is tackled by Leinster's Irish Centre Brian O'Driscoll (L) during the Heineken European Cup semi-final rugby union match between Munster and Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on May 2, 2009.

AP Photo 7 months ago

Munster's Paul O'Connell, center, in action against Leinster in the Rugby Union European Cup semifinal at Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, May, 2, 2009.

Getty Images 7 months ago

Ian McGeechan, (2nd L) Head Coach of the 2009 British and Irish Lions squad, sits next to Irish rugby union player and squad captain Paul O'Connell, (L) at a press conference in London, on April 21, 2009.

Getty Images 7 months ago

Irish rugby union player Paul O'Connell (C) is announced as captain of the 2009 British & Irish Lions squad tour of South Africa later this year, at a press conference in London, on April 21, 2009.

Getty Images 7 months ago

Irish rugby union player and captain of the 2009 British and Irish Lions squad Paul O'Connell (C) stands with coaching staff (From L) Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards, Ian McGeechan, Gerald Davies, Graham Rowntree and Warren Gatland at a photocall following a press conference in west London, o...

AP Photo 7 months ago

British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell, right, shakes hands with head coach Ian McGeechan during the Lions squad announcement at an hotel near Heathrow Airport, London Tuesday April 21, 2009.

AP Photo 7 months ago

British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell, center, with the Lions management team of Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards, Ian McGeechan, Head Coach, Gerald Davies, Tour Manager, Graham Rowntree and Warren Gatland, from left to right, during the Lions squad announcement at an hotel near Heath...

Getty Images 8 months ago

Ireland's Rory Best (L) and Paul O'Connell celebrate winning against Wales after the Six Nations title deciding rugby match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on March 21, 2009.

Getty Images 8 months ago

Ireland's prop Marcus Horan (C) and Paul O'Connell (R) celebrate as Wales Stephen Jones (L) misses a penalty kick in the dying seconds of the Six Nations title-deciding rugby match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on March 21, 2009.

AP Photo 8 months ago

Ireland's Paul O'Connell, left, and Marcus Horan celebrate after beating Wales 17-15 in a Six Nations rugby union international match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday March 21, 2009. At right is Irish President Mary McAleese and at center Britain's Prince William.

Getty Images 8 months ago

Ireland's Paul O'Connell (C) reaches the ball in the line-out with Wales' Alun Wyn Jones (R) during the Six Nations title deciding rugby match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on March 21, 2009.

AP Photo 8 months ago

Ireland's Paul O'Connell, center, wins a lineout during the Six Nations rugby union international match against Wales at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday March 21, 2009.

Scotland's Graeme Morrison runs with the ball as Ireland's Paul O'Connell (L) and Rory Best challenge during their Six Nations championship rugby union match at Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland March 14, 2009.