O'Connell could sit out entire season

Irish lock Paul O'Connell could miss the entire season for new club Toulon after sustaining a serious hamstring injury during the World Cup, he revealed on Monday.

"I don't know. it's very approximate," O'Connell told Irish website The 42 during a promotional event in Dublin. "It's kind of between four and it could be eight months. You just don't know.

"I wouldn't be as naive to think that it'll be plain sailing. I'm just going to follow the protocols religiously, as I've always done, and hopefully that can get me in a place to get back playing before the end of the season."

O'Connell, 36, underwent surgery after injuring himself during Ireland's 25-9 pool-stage victory over France in Cardiff at the World Cup last month.

The former Munster player will continue his rehabilitation with Toulon in December, having signed a one-year deal with an option for an extra year with the Top 14 side that signalled the end of his 108-cap international career.

Toulon are assessing the possibility of bringing a player in to cover for O'Connell's absence.