Paul O'Connell will captain reigning Heineken Cup champions Munster for the 2006/07 season, taking over from Anthony Foley who has been captain for the past two seasons.
With 31 Heineken Cup caps to his credit so far, O'Connell will follow in the steps of the legendary Anthony Foley, the most capped player in the Heineken Cup tournament with 76 appearances. Foley who led the squad to Heineken Cup victory last season will assume the vice captaincy role along with Ronan O'Gara.
On 20 October 2006, the influential lock will celebrate his 27th birthday on the same day that the 12th season of the Heineken Cup kicks off.
Ireland international and Lions player, O'Connell has featured in five Heineken Cup seasons so far in his career. The lock made his first Heineken Cup appearance in an away match against NEC Harlequins, when he replaced Mick O'Driscoll in the 51st minute of the match. On that occasion Munster were triumphant, beating Harlequins in Twickenham Stoop by 8-24.