Former Ireland and Lions captain Paul O\u2019Connell earned a standing ovation for a masterclass answer on\u00a0Question of Sport.<\/p>\n
Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel\u00a0<\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\n The challenge: identify seven sports stars, then use their initials to fill in missing letters in a series of words. <\/p>\n With only\u00a0two letters out of 23\u00a0revealed, O\u2019Connell cracked it\u2014revealing the answer as\u00a0Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach.<\/p>\n A Question of Sport has been axed after 53 years. We\u2019ll always have this moment, when Paul O\u2019Connell gave one of the greatest answers in quiz show history. So good pic.twitter.com\/Zs9gBL9dQU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jack Kenmare (@jackkenmare_) December 15, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n Paul O\u2019Connell Named Five Players he \u2018Hated\u2019 on the Pitch \u2013 including two England stars<\/p>\n Paul O\u2019Connell \u2013 the man, the myth, the Irish rugby colossus. From the red of Munster to the green of Ireland and the prestige of the British & Irish Lions, he\u2019s been there, done it, and led from the front. <\/p>\n In a recent interview, he shared his reflections on his remarkable career by ranking his five toughest opponents, providing a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and triumphs that defined his extraordinary journey in the world of rugby.<\/p>\n #1. Victor Matfield<\/p>\n Position: Lock<\/p>\n Country: South Africa<\/p>\n Caps: 127<\/p>\n This ultra-athletic second row player was known for his love of running with the ball in midfield and was dubbed the best centre in South Africa. <\/p>\n Additionally, he was a supreme technician in the lineout. He was even awarded Man of the Match in the 2007 World Cup final.<\/p>\n O\u2019Connell said: \u201cI tried not to fear any opponent, but any international second-row will tell you that Matfield had the ability to destroy your lineout. He\u2019s the best lineout operator I played against. He very rarely made any mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n #2. Jonny Wilkinson<\/p>\n Position: Fly-half<\/p>\n Country: England <\/p>\n Caps: 91<\/p>\n He has been a significant match-winner of his time, and one of rugby\u2019s all-time greatest point-scorers. With 1,246 points earned in his 97 caps for England and the Lions, only Dan Carter has scored more in Test rugby. <\/p>\n However, his most notable achievement occurred in 2003 when he secured the World Cup victory for his team by slotting in a drop goal. <\/p>\n What is more impressive is that he kicked it with his weaker right foot, indicating the countless hours he had dedicated to practice. He retired on a high note, adding two more trophies to his collection with Toulon.<\/p>\n O\u2019Connell said: \u201cI played against him when he was with Toulon at the end of my career, and his ability to punish you with drop-goals, with his penalties, with his territory kicking game, it was so hard to get a foothold in his game. <\/p>\n \u201cHe could beat better teams almost on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n