Stade Francais name Paul O'Connell as new forwards coach

Stade Francais have confirmed former Ireland and British and Irish Lions international Paul O'Connell as the new forwards coach of the Top14 club.

The 38-year-old will join Heyneke Meyer, Pieter De Villiers, John McFarland, Julian Dupuy and Mike Prendergast in an extensive coaching panel of the French club.

Earlier, the club had tweeted a teaser of a new arrival to the club which was later confirmed as O'Connell.

O'Connell has played 115 Tests including seven for British and Irish Lions since his debut that came in 2002. He was forced to retire at the start of 2016 due to a hamstring injury and since then has taken coaching roles with Munster Academy and Ireland Under 20 side.

Stade Francais will take on USA Perpignan in the opening round of the Top 14 2018/19 season on 25th August.

?? Le @SFParisRugby est fier d’annoncer l'arrivée de @Paul_OConnell au poste d'entraineur des avants (spécialiste de la touche). Welcome to Paris Paul !#PinkArmy #TousParisiens #OConnellEstRose #WelcomePaul #SFParis pic.twitter.com/x2os7SSqVb

— Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) 3 August 2018