Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell has been forced to retire with immediate effect due to injury, he announced on February 9, 2016.. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU
Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell has been forced to retire with immediate effect due to injury, he announced on February 9, 2016.. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU
Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell has been forced to retire with immediate effect due to injury, he announced on February 9, 2016.. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU
Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell has been forced to retire with immediate effect due to injury, he announced on February 9, 2016.. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU

Ireland’s O’Connell announces rugby retirement, thanking Toulon ‘for their understanding and support’ having never played for the French giants


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Paul O’Connell has been forced to retire without playing a game for new club Toulon, unable to beat the hamstring injury that ended his World Cup prematurely.

The 36-year-old lock retired from Test rugby after Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina, but had missed the last-eight clash after tearing his hamstring in the pool-stage victory over France.

O’Connell had always planned to trade home province Munster for Toulon and retire from international rugby after the World Cup, but that autumn injury has now denied him a club swansong with the French giants.

Read more: CJ Stander says 'We can build on that' after Ireland draw Wales in Rugby Six Nations

“It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice,” said O’Connell in an Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) statement.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at Rugby Club Toulonnais for their understanding and support over the past few months.

“Since sustaining the injury at the World Cup I have been fully focused on returning to fitness and starting an exciting new chapter for both myself and my family in Toulon.

“Unfortunately this will no longer be possible.”

Ireland’s talismanic former captain racked up 108 caps in 13 years of Test rugby, and will go down as one of his country’s finest-ever international stars.

The gritty Munster lock beat the turf in agony on tearing his hamstring in Ireland’s 24-9 Pool D World Cup victory over France, however, reacting as much to the pain as the clear result of the blow.

O’Connell was quickly ruled out of Ireland’s quarter-final showdown with Argentina, and Joe Schmidt’s side later lost out 43-20.

O’Connell pressed on undeterred in his bid to join Toulon, despite requiring surgery to repair his serious hamstring problem.

Four months on, however, the British & Irish Lion has been forced to admit defeat in that battle to return to the field.

“I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for over 14 years and to be part of Munster and Ireland teams that have experienced success,” he said.

“I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.

“I would like to thank those at Young Munster RFC, Munster Rugby, the IRFU and Lions Rugby who have supported me over the course of my playing career.

“Special thanks must go to my wife Emily for her unwavering support through the good and the bad and to my parents Michael and Shelagh.

“Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has supported the teams I have been a part of.

“The support you have shown me is humbling and an immense source of pride for both myself and my family.”

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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

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Champions parade (UAE timings)

7pm Gates open

8pm Deansgate stage showing starts

9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral

9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street

10pm City players on stage

11pm event ends

Fund-raising tips for start-ups

Develop an innovative business concept

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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Power: 190bhp

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Price: Dh169,900

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