Ireland veteran Paul O’Connell targets 2015 World Cup

Paul O’Connell has set his sights on playing for Ireland at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The 34-year-old missed the entirety of this year’s Six Nations with a back injury but returned to play his part on the successful British & Irish Lions tour this summer.

The Munster man broke a bone in his arm Down Under but has been working his way back to fitness with an eye on the upcoming autumn internationals.

And the former Ireland skipper admits that the chance to prolong his international career until the 2015 World Cup in England is a huge motivation for him.

“I’m out of contract this summer,” O’Connell said.

“I’d like to play until the next World Cup, as a minimum, providing the body is right and it feels good at the moment.

“If I had to consider my options somewhere else I certainly would. It’s a big regret of mine not having played abroad.

“I’ve lived in Limerick all my life and while I love it here, I would like to experience life abroad. I haven’t started discussing my contract yet, so we’ll see what happens.”