O'Sullivan pays tribute to the retiring 'Claw'
April 5, 2002
Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan on Friday paid a glowing tribute to veteran prop Peter Clohessy, who makes his 54th and final appearance in the green jersey at the Stade de France on Saturday. O'Sullivan, whose side can deprive France of the Grand Slam if they beat them, said that the 36-year-old Clohessy, nicknamed 'The Claw', had been much misunderstood during his long career which has seen him banned several times, most notably when he received a 26-week suspension for stamping on French lock Olivier Roumat during the 1996 Five Nations clash. "We will miss him big time," O'Sullivan said. "There are a big pair of boots to fill, not so much for his play, but for his leadership qualities which he has displayed many times over the years. When he was created God broke the mould, for he is some character and we will miss him dearly." O'Sullivan, who is in his first tournament as coach after replacing former boss Warren Gatland late last year, said, however, that he was saddened that Clohessy might retire with only his reputation for tough play being mentioned. "Sure he is a hard-nosed tough competitor but there are other aspects to his play which are now only being recognised, such as his ability to run with the ball and to deliver a killer pass like he did against Italy last time out. "We are a young, improving side in general, but we also have to have our warriors and Peter is definitely chief among them... he is a big loss," he added. Clohessy, who only returned to the game after his long suspension over the Roumat incident because his wife persuaded him to, is unlikely to receive the raucous farewell when he left the pitch against Italy a fortnight ago from the French crowd as he blithely admitted earlier this season. "It seems the French and I have a difference of opinion with each other. It doesn't bother me!" he said. Happily for the Irish fans it won't quite be the last they see of him on the major stage as he is a senior member of the Munster side that will take on Castres in the April 27th European Cup semifinal in the French town of Beziers. |
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