DIRECTOR of rugby Alan Solomons has backed Donncha O’Callaghan’s decision to bring the curtain down on his “incredible” career in Worcester Warriors’ final home game of the season.
O’Callaghan will run out for the last time on Saturday (3pm) when Worcester take on Harlequins at Sixways in the Aviva Premiership.
It means the club captain will be unavailable for Warriors’ season-ending trip to Northampton Saints next Saturday (4pm) which could have Premiership survival hanging on it.
But Solomons believes the clash against Quins was the right game for the 39-year-old to bow out on as Warriors look to secure their top-flight status this weekend.
“After a career like that you want to play your last game in front of a home crowd and at the club that you have been playing at for the last three seasons,” Solomons said.
“I think his choice was 100 per cent right.”
Although Solomons refused to confirm whether O’Callaghan would start the match, Warriors chief admitted the ex-Ireland international would be “nicely rested” for the encounter having not played for more than a month.
O’Callaghan has failed to be selected for Worcester’s past three matches with his last appearance coming off the bench in the defeat to Leicester Tigers in early March.
Solomons said he had been a “privilege” to have had the chance to coach O’Callaghan who has won 94 caps for Ireland and been on two British and Irish Lions tours.
The second row joined Warriors in 2015 after racking up more than 270 competitive appearances over 17 seasons with Munster.
“To win a Grand Slam with Ireland, go to three World Cups, won two European Champions Cups and two Magners League titles with Munster is unbelievable,” Solomons said.
“He has had the most incredible career and to still be playing at 39 is unbelievable so I really hope that we can produce a performance that befits the occasion.”
O’Callaghan has made 62 showings for Worcester and was appointed skipper ahead of this season.
Solomons added: “Donncha is an intelligent, level-headed bloke and will settle back in his home town of Cork.
“I think he will make a success of whatever he turns his hand to.
“But he has been a wonderful servant to the game and has done fantastically well for this club over the past three seasons.
“It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to have coached him.”
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