Paul O'Connell is a British & Irish Lions legend, renowned for never taking a backwards step.

And there is no doubting where he learned that – out on Tom Clifford Park for his first club Young Munster.

Founded in 1895, the blue-collar club have produced four British & Irish Lions in their history but there are two that stand out.

The legendary Irish prop Tom Clifford – after whom their ground is named – toured with the Lions in 1950 and returned a local legend.

Rob Henderson and Keith Earls were both also affiliated with the club as well but O’Connell is Clifford’s heir apparent.

A three-time Lion and Tour captain in South Africa in 2009, O’Connell has always spoken reverentially of his formative years at Young Munster.