Paul O’Connell never needed much time to make up his mind when asked about the best stadium he ever played in for atmosphere.
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For the former Ireland and Munster skipper, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium – known as the Millennium Stadium during his playing days – stands head and shoulders above the rest.
It was a venue that brought him plenty of success too. O’Connell lifted two Heineken Cups there with Munster and famously completed a Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009 on the same hallowed turf.
And it wasn’t just the silverware that made it special.
“It’s in the middle of the city and the crowd are generally drunk, which adds to the atmosphere,” O’Connell joked. “Then you have the roof closed, which adds to it even more. It’s a great stadium.”
Having faced the very best in world rugby between 2002 and 2015, O’Connell also built up an impressive collection of swapped jerseys along the way. But one in particular stands out above the rest.
Asked about his favourite exchange, the former lock immediately pointed to a Welsh great – and a former British & Irish Lions teammate.
“I have Martin Williams’ jersey,” he revealed. “It was from when we beat Wales in 2010. I probably shouldn’t have kept it, to be honest. I think that was his 95th cap and the day he became Wales’ most capped forward.
“I loved him as a player. He was brilliant on the field and great fun off it too. We toured together with the Lions in 2009 and became good friends, so I was delighted to get his jersey.”
Given the calibre of players O’Connell went up against, that’s praise that carries serious weight.
Toughest Rugby Union Players Of All-Time (Ranked 15-1)
Rugby is a sport that celebrates toughness, resilience, and raw power. The following players have epitomized these qualities, earning their places as some of the hardest to ever grace the field.
15. Sébastien Chabal – “The Caveman”
Position: Number 8, Lock, Flanker
Born: December 8, 1977, Valence, France
Caps: 62 (France)
Club Career: Bourgoin, Sale Sharks, Racing Métro, Lyon
Known for his imposing presence, full beard, and long hair, Chabal was a formidable force on the field. His aggressive playing style earned him the nickname “The Caveman” and made him a fan favorite in France. Despite his intimidating appearance, Chabal was also known for his sportsmanship and dedication to the game.
14. Brian Lima – “The Chiropractor”
Position: Wing, Centre
Born: January 25, 1972, Apia, Samoa
Caps: 64 (Samoa)
Club Career: Stade Français, Swansea, Secom Rugguts, Munster, Bristol
Lima earned the nickname “The Chiropractor” for his bone-crunching tackles that left opponents reeling. He was known for his fearless approach to the game and his ability to deliver devastating hits that often turned the tide in matches.
13. Eben Etzebeth – “The Enforcer”
Position: Lock
Born: October 29, 1991, Cape Town, South Africa
Caps: 116 (South Africa)
Club Career: Western Province, Stormers, Toulon
Etzebeth is renowned for his physicality and aggressive playing style. Standing at 6’8″ and weighing over 120kg, he dominates the lineouts and is a constant threat in the scrum. His no-nonsense approach to the game has made him a key figure in South African rugby.
12. Bakkies Botha – “The Beast”
Position: Lock
Born: September 22, 1979, Pretoria, South Africa
Caps: 75 (South Africa)
Club Career: Blue Bulls, Toulon
Botha was known for his physicality and aggressive demeanor on the field. His confrontational playing style often led to intense confrontations, earning him a reputation as one of the hardest players in rugby history.
11. Jerry Collins – “The Terminator”
Position: Blindside Flanker
Born: November 4, 1980, Apia, Samoa
Caps: 48 (New Zealand)
Club Career: Hurricanes, Toulon, Ospreys
Collins was known for his ferocious tackling and aggressive playing style. His hard-hitting approach made him a feared opponent and a key figure in New Zealand’s rugby success during his career.
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