PAUL O’Connell insists his retirement plans won’t be based on whether Munster or Ireland are successful in the coming months.
In an interview with The Irish Independent O’Connell admitted that he didn’t think he would be still playing top class rugby at the age of 35.
"I definitely didn't think I'd be on stage picking up an award like this at this time in my life,” O’Connell admitted.
"At 27 or 28, I definitely thought I'd be retired at 31 or 32, something like that. I never thought I'd be still here playing at this stage, never mind picking up this award."
Regarding his own future O’Connell said: "Winning or losing won't affect my decision. Maybe you can make decisions in terms of picking up silverware, but it is a dangerous way to go about making a decision.
"I wouldn't base my decision on that. A whole lot of things go into it and winning trophies isn't one of them.”
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