O’Connell made a try scoring international debut against Wales in Dublin in 2002, having made his first senior appearance for Munster against Edinburgh in August of the previous year.  Since then he has gone on to win 82 caps for his country and represent Munster on 127 occasions.

His Munster career has seen him win two Heineken Cups, one as captain, as well as two Magners league titles and a Celtic Cup.  His senior international career has seen him selected for three Rugby World Cup squads in 2003, 2007 and 2011 and was part of the sides that won five triple crowns, one RBS Six Nations Championship and Ireland’s second ever Grand Slam in 2009.

He has also represented the British & Irish Lions on two tours, to New Zealand in 2006 and as Captain to South Africa in 2011.

Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: “The retention and development of Irish players is one of the top priorities for Irish Rugby to ensure continually competitive teams at provincial and international level.  Paul O’Connell is a prime example of this and I am delighted that he has further committed himself to Munster Rugby and the IRFU.  He has done so much to contribute to the success of the Munster and Ireland teams during his career and is a shining example for younger players.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said: "It is a very strong message when you have a player of Paul’s standing opting to continue playing in Ireland with Munster.  Paul has been a very important player and leader for both Ireland and Munster during his career and I am especially pleased that he has come back so strongly after his injury troubles.”

Munster Coach Tony McGahan said: "I’m of course delighted that Paul has agreed an extension to his contract that sees him remain with Munster for the next two seasons. He’s an integral part of the squad whose influence goes way beyond his on-field performances. He is a leader both on and off the field, a quality recognised by his recent appointment as Irish captain and the perfect role model for those who aspire to play professional rugby."

Paul O’Connell said: "I have been lucky over the last ten years to play with a team like Munster which has such phenomenal support and I have enjoyed a lot of success during that time.  So much has changed since my first games for Munster and Ireland, with Heineken cup and Grand Slam wins, brand new stadiums and having the opportunity to play with so many good players, that it was always a very easy decision to remain in my home province.  I am feeling really good both mentally and physically, which in part goes down to how well we are looked after here in Ireland, so I am looking forward to the remainder of this season and beyond and doing all I can to help make Munster and Ireland as successful as possible.”

Career Details
Paul O’Connell
Born: 20th October 1979
Ireland Career
Debut: V Wales 3/02/2002
Caps: 82
Points: 30
Munster Career
Debut: V Edinburgh 17/08/2001
Caps: 127
Points: 80
British & Irish Lions
Debut: V Bay of Plenty 4/06/2005
Appearances: 11 (3 tests V NZ in 2005, 3 Test V South Africa in 2009 as captain)

Ulster has achieved that. A very raw and young Ulster side won plaudits for fronting up at Leinster and keeping them into sight until, with less than twenty minutes to go, a flurry of late tries putting the expected gloss on the scoreline. Then the big guns followed that up by achieving an emphatic bonus point win over Munster by the 56^th minute, at which point they spent the rest of the match in cruise control. Things worked out as well as can be hoped for. That would seem to be the vindication of Ulster’s selection policy but I feel sure that for some it isn’t. I am possibly the wrong person to address these concerns, believing as I did that it was the correct decision from the beginning. However, I didn’t think that because I saw no merits to the various arguments of pride, player welfare and justice towards the travelling support; rather, I thought the schedule so uncompromising and Ulster’s league position so tenuous that they overrode those. The emphatic victory at least excuses McLaughlin from charges of incompetence. The performance of Ulster’s youngsters certainly showed they were ready for a sniff of a higher level, particularly in the case of Chris Farrell, who backed up a solid outing against Leinster with an exciting cameo against Munster. It would have been fairer to give them a sniff of victory by putting in more experienced players (although given the mistakes of Diack and Marshall, maybe it wouldn’t have), particularly considering how close Ulster looked at one point. We will never know the addition of some quality on the bench would have altered that match but as long as the players are physically ready, I am happy that their welfare is being looked after. Their chance for Ulster victories will come – it already has for Farrell, Birch and Nelson – and I think all would have rather played than not. McLaughin didn’t have to wait for Munster’s game to be justified in exposing those players to professional rugby and top class opposition – the players themselves justified it.

Whether the victory vindicated the Leinster decision for those who were set to travel or those disappointed b y the write-off is for those to decide. However, I do think that even for them there is a consolation in that the young Ulster side was a step towards developing the strength needed for an Ulster side to go anywhere with a hope of victory. Ulster have now blooded in the last couple of years 11 players aged 20 or under. Three of them have already played Heineken Cup rugby. If Ulster is to develop themselves into a force equal to their Irish neighbours, then that is the level of youth development needed to close the gap. It is difficult to overstate the value of passing tests against D’Arcy and Mafi for someone like Chris Farrell, who can take that confidence with him the next time he steps onto the pitch against a like player, and use his hunger for another taste of the big time to drive him in on training.

This argument can however be turned against Stefan Terblanche, whose signing has sparked a few questions, particularly as he hasn’t replaced Jared Payne directly. It’s also re-sparked complaints about the prominence of Ulster’s foreign contingent, who are of a far higher quality (and presumably expense) than any other Irish province, and who generally keep Ulster’s number of IQ starters lower than elsewhere. The argument runs that while the foreigners have made Ulster more successful (this argument normally omits the input of other players into the result), the success is not worth the missed gametime for Irish prospects. What the criticism misses is that success is the most crucial development tool of all. It breeds confidence and belief. It provides a close-up example for youngsters to emulate and puts them in an environment that allows them to express themselves. It provides strength that allows for the accommodation of inexperienced talents on a more regular basis and on a very prosaic level, more money for youth coaches. Terblanche may end up unneeded, but by being the squad’s second experienced full-back choice, he gives them the best possible chance of success. It is in fact a no-lose situation and if he plays any part in a hoped-for victory over Leicester, it will have paid off. Qualifying for a European semi-final two years on the trot would be another step forwards for Ulster, the sort of step that gives Ulster’s young talent another chance to test themselves on the big stage. Which is another step towards the young talent becoming the young players who can have Ulster competing for – and hopefully winning – silverware.

Should that victory come soon, then most Ulster fans will consider the price paid to develop it very cheap indeed.

With a big Irish community in Birmingham there is much local interest in this match and a good turn-out is expected for what should be an open, attractive affair.

Starting 15: 01. Anton O’DONNELL; 02.Adam CAVES; 03. Colin QUIGLEY; 04.Richard STOTT; 05.Paul SPIVEY; 06. Michael MALTMAN; 07. Charley THOMAS; 08. Michael ELLERY; 09. Ryan de la HARPE; 10. Bradley DAVIES; 11. Mike GILLICK; 12.Callum McBURNIE; 13. Brad HUNT; 14.Sam BROWN; 15. Glynn HUGHES

Replacements: 16. Craig VOISEY;17. Tom WARREN; 18. Dan SANDERSON; 19 Chevvy PENNYCOOK.; 20.Neil MASON; 21.Anthony CARTER; 22 William ROBINSON.

If he does reach the milestone at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, it won’t be a first for the Irish points machine as team-mate John Hayes played his 100th game in Round 1. But the man who won the ERC European Player Award (1995-2010), and the first man to pass 1,000 tournament points, isn’t worried about that.

“I was honoured to present John Hayes with his cap for reaching 100 Heineken Cup matches. He was the most fitting Munster man to achieve that milestone,” said O’Gara.

“It is a great thing to achieve, but I don’t look upon it as anything big at this stage. When I retire in a few years time I will look back on it as being a significant cap because it is such a fantastic competition.

“It is a competition that has given me every possible emotion – and that’s why you play the game. I have had wonderful moments and disappointing moments, but that’s why you get involved in sport and that’s why this team is so special to me and why the fans are so loyal to the Heineken Cup – it is a wonderful ambassador for northern hemisphere rugby.”

How do you pick out one moment from a European career that started with a 48-40 defeat at The Stoop against Harlequins back in the 1997/98 season and has seen O’Gara win two titles, reach four finals and five other semi-finals. It is virtually impossible, especially as this season’s two games have thrown up two more candidates for his Top 10 best moments.

“Because of the way the competition is structured, if you are lucky enough to win it you play nine games, which isn’t many. That means every game in Europe is a big one,” he added.

“That has been the way Munster has always looked upon it. Last year when we didn’t get out of our group we were guilty of treating every game the same. But the stature of the Heineken Cup is that it has been held above everything else. That’s the way it has always been for us in Munster and that’s how I want it to be.

“I’ve been so lucky because the Heineken Cup has given me so many great memories. To name just a few would be doing an injustice to the 25 or more others I could choose.

“You can go back to the semi-final against Toulouse in 2000 and see the brand of rugby we played. Munster had traditionally been a forward orientated side, but that was the start of the 15 man game.

“We have evolved every season since then, which you have to do, because the standard rises every year – it is an unbelievable competition.”

Now in his 15th season in the tournament, the 34-year-old O’Gara has seen the Heineken Cup develop from its infancy. There were a mere 2,000 at Musgrave Park in 1998 to see his home debut in the win over Petrarca, whereas these days Thomond Park is more often than not filled to its 26,000 capacity for European games.

“No one had a clue when it first started that it would grow into what it has become. The whole thing has snowballed,” said O’Gara.

“It was popular at certain stages throughout the season, but the support bases that Munster, Ulster, Leinster have built, and now Connacht, have been phenomenal. It is real a tribute to what these provinces have done.

“When we played Leinster in Dooradoyle in 1997 there were 500 people there. Now we can get 80,000 for a Heineken Cup clash between the same two teams. That shows the impact the game has in this country and it doesn’t happen by chance – there has been a lot of hard work done by the provinces, ERC and Heineken.

“The fascinating thing about the Heineken Cup is it is a club competition. People miss that point sometimes. You have some of the best players in your country on the team and then some younger players who are trying to develop who wouldn’t get on an international side.

“What is so good about the Heineken Cup is the game that can be played – you have more time on the ball. You have a second longer than you would have in international rugby.

“That’s the key difference. There are opportunities for mis-matches whereas at international level that doesn’t happen, which is why it is a slightly less appealing game to the fans.”

Clermont v Aironi 54-3

Edinburgh v Racing Metro 48-47

Northampton Saints v Scarlets 23-28

Benetton Treviso v Ospreys 26-26

Biarritz v Saracens 15-10

Castres v Munster 24-27

Gloucester v Harlequins 9-28

Connacht v Toulouse 10-36

Leicester Tigers v Ulster 20-9

Leinster v Glasgow 38-13

Bath Rugby v Montpellier 16-13

And keeping it to a minimum, just one of those changes comes in the backs, where there’s a straight swop – Lifeimi Mafi for Danny Barnes – experience probably the deciding factor in what had to be a close call.

In the pack, it’s as you were in the front-row, Damien Varley propped by the South African pairing of Wian du Preez and BJ Botha.

In the second row not surprisingly, Paul O’Connell has his usual sidekick Donncha O’Callaghan back alongside with O’Connell’s partner from last weekend, Donnacha Ryan, retained in the side but on the blindside flank.

Experience again probably decided the number 7 and 8 positions, Niall Ronan brought in on the openside at the expense of Peter O’Mahony and Denis Leamy ousting James Coughlan for the number 8 jersey, both O’Mahony and Coughlan named on the bench.

Speaking of the immediate challenge ahead Tony McGahan said. “ I don’t think there are many greater challenges in European rugby than playing the Heineken champions, the number one ranked side in a sell out at the national stadium, a venue they’ve had wonderful success at.

"So what a perfect way to get back into the RaboDirect but also for the upcoming Heineken Cup, it’s a perfect platform to certainly give us a great indication of where we are.”

Munster. J Murphy; D Howlett, W Chambers, L Mafi, K Earls; R O’Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; D Ryan, N Ronan, D Leamy.

Replacements. D Fogarty, M Horan, J Hayes, P O’Mahony, J Coughlan, T O’Leary, I Keatley, D Barnes.

(Not considered because of injury: D Wallace, J Flannery, F Jones, M Sherry, Darragh Hurley, Dave O’Callaghan, T Smith, P Borlase).

Leo Cullen leads a Leinster team which includes 13 Ireland internationals for the visit of Munster including Wexford centre Gordon D’Arcy who is one of five players in total – including the back-row trio of Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings and Sean O’Brien as well as prop Cian Healy – to make their seasonal debuts for the province after their involvement in the Rugby World Cup.

Isaac Boss again partners Jonathan Sexton at half back, with D’Arcy linking up with Fergus McFadden at centre, with Isa Nacewa returning to the wing after being rested last week.

Up front, Healy joins Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross in the front row with skipper Cullen starting at second row alongside Devin Toner. Brian O’Driscoll, after further testing, has been given an extra week to recover from the ‘stinger’ he suffered during the World Cup.

The likes of Sean Cronin, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan and Rhys Ruddock are included on the Leinster replacements bench for the game which is already set to be played in front of over 46,000 supporters and counting, making it the third largest attendance in league history.

Last year’s record attendance was 50,645 against Munster in the Aviva Stadium (2nd October 2010) and the previous record crowd of 48,000 attended ‘The Last Stand’ against Ulster in Lansdowne Road (31st December 2006).

Tickets are still on sale from www.leinsterrugby.ie, the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) as well as Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

*Please note that due to essential ongoing maintenance work at Lansdowne Road DART station, the station will not be in use for supporters on Friday. Supporters are asked to alight from either Grand Canal Dock (those travelling from the north of the city) or Sydney Parade (those travelling from the south of the city) stations. The DART will not operate between Grand Canal Dock – Sydney Parade – Grand Canal Dock.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Sean O’Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Kevin McLaughlin
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Eoin O’Malley

REFEREE: Pascal Gauzere (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: David Wilkinson, Simon McDowell (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: John Montayne (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: Tom Tuohy (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)

Will Chambers is at outside centre which means a switch to 12 for Danny Barnes and the return of O’Connell naturally sees him take over as captain although Peter O’Mahony who assumed that role in O’Connell’s absence retains his place in the starting XV.

Five players – Johne Murphy, Doug Howlett, Barnes, Wian du Preez and O’Mahony – retain their places in the starting XV from the Ospreys game while James Coughlan missed that Ospreys clash through injury.

The selection reflects a certain urgency to get the RWC players back into action as coach Tony McGahan explained that Munster “need to hit the ground running.”

"I think you’ll have seen South African, English and other countries players come back and play as soon as they were out of the quarter finals. The Irish players had two weeks rest. We’re already at least a week and a bit behind so we need to look at all the possibilities and people who are going to be best for us short term and long term in this 4 week block that we have."

Munster (v Aironi Rugby) RaboDirect PRO12 League, Friday (8.30pm) Musgrave Park.

J Murphy; D Howlett, W Chambers, D Barnes, K Earls; R O’Gara, C Murray; W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O’Connell capt ; D Leamy, P O’Mahony, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Fogarty, M Horan, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, N Ronan, T O’Leary, S Deasy, L Mafi.

(Not considered due to injury. David Wallace, Troy Smith, Felix Jones, Jerry Flannery, Peter Borlase, Darragh Hurley, Mike Sherry, Ian Keatley).

Butler is one of ten changes Tony McGahan makes to the starting XV from the Blues game with Coughlan just the one forced change. There are two positional switches, Johne Murphy moving to the right wing in place of Doug Howlett (rested) and Scott Deasy, a replacement in Cardiff coming into the full-back slot occupied by Murphy last time out. Tommy O’Donnell moves to the blindside to accommodate the return of Niall Ronan, that switch a recognition of the rich vein of form O’Donnell is enjoying.

" I’m enjoying it right enough," the Tipperary man says "Coming into this season I knew that with the World Cup. I’d get the chance to get a few games. There’s still a lot of quality in the back-row so it was a matter of putting in a good pre-season and getting a run at it.

" We enjoyed a good run. Four games gone, two to go in this phase, top of the League, its exactly where you want to be." he continues. " Obviously the defensive effort last week was massive. A few lucky breaks like that forward pass and some good defence. It was just a really determined effort. And of course Ian’s kicking was just phenomenal."

Mick O’Driscoll, winning his 192nd cap captains the side.

Munster: S Deasy; J Murphy, T Gleeson, L Mafi, D Hurley; I Keatley, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Fogarty, J Hayes; D Foley, M O’Driscoll; T O’Donnell, N Ronan, P Butler. Replacements: M Sherry, J Ryan, S Archer, I Nagle, P O’Mahony, D Williams, D Barnes, S Zebo.

Currently top of the division, the arrival of the current champions and two-time Heineken Cup winners is preceded by their reputation, while their current form of four straight wins points to a tough test for Edinburgh’s young squad.

The Munster match also offers Murrayfield’s up-close crowd a particularly tantalising battle on the wing as Edinburgh Rugby’s record breaking try-scorer, Tim Visser, goes head to head with Munster’s 62-times capped All Black flyer, Doug Howlett.

Speaking at today’s press conference, Michael Bradley said: “The boys are really looking forward to the match.

“Munster are a side that are historically strong in the RaboDirect PRO12, they’re the current champions and are off to a great start this season, so it’s a good target for us to aim for.

“Munster are, amongst other things, very competitive at the breakdown. We have to be conscious of their strong kicking game and of the positional pressure points they’ll try to do squeeze.

“We need to be consistent in our delivery, accurate in our play (in attack and defence) and maintain absolute concentration for the full 80 minutes; if we do that we’ll create opportunities and we’ll score. If we don’t, Munster will punish us.

“When we compete and go forward with quality ball, supporters will see some quality attacking play while, on the Munster side, they will look to keep it tight, put pressure on us and play in the right areas.

“Contrasting styles will be on display from the two sides and hopefully the home side will prevail.”

Bradley has made three personnel changes for the visit of Munster.

Matt Scott is the only change to the backs, making his first start since the side’s last-minute heart-breaker against Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

Scott’s reintroduction to the backline sees Jim Thompson shuffle outfield to his preferred position of full-back, displacing Tom Brown to the bench.

Up front Lewis Niven (prop) and Grant Gilchrist (lock) come back to start in the tight-five in place of Shaun Knight (bench) and Steven Turnbull, who is replaced in the squad by Esteban Lozada.

The final change to the 22 welcomes the return of Phil Godman (stand-off) who starts on the bench.

Edinburgh Rugby team to play Munster at Murrayfield Stadium tomorrow (Friday 30 September, kick-off 7.30pm)

15 Jim Thompson

14 Lee Jones

13 Matt Scott

12 James King

11 Tim Visser

10 Gregor Hunter

9 Greig Laidlaw

1 Kyle Traynor

2 Steven Lawrie

3 Lewis Niven

4 Grant Gilchrist

5 Sean Cox

6 David Denton

7 Roddy Grant

8 Stuart McInally

Substitutes

16 Alun Walker

17 Robin Hislop

18 Shaun Knight

19 Esteban Lozada

20 Hamish Watson

21 Chris Leck

22 Phil Godman

23 Tom Brown