Paul O’Connell looks to go out with a bang in final home game for Ireland

Paul O’Connell will bid an emotional farewell to Lansdowne Road when he leads Ireland on home soil for the last time against Wales in a World Cup warm-up match on Saturday.

The Munster and British & Irish Lions captain is already secured of a place alongside the likes of Brian O'Driscoll as a modern-day icon of Irish rugby after 102 test appearances in the emerald green jersey.

Yet the 35-year-old colossus from Limerick will finally succumb to the inevitable and call time on his international career following the World Cup, before joining European champions Toulon in France.

So while there is importance enough upon this latest World Cup warm-up game, the last for both countries before final squads are named next week, there is a flood of sentiment as well.

By a twist of fate, Wales are once again the opposition, just as they were for lock forward O'Connell's international debut 13 years ago and for his century of caps in March.

"Paul is pretty handy in terms of keeping his emotions in check, he knows what works for him," said Ireland defence coach Les Kiss.

"I've coached him for seven years now and I speak on behalf of the other coaches when I say that he's an inspiration.

"He deserves a good send-off and hopefully we can deliver that. He's special person in terms of his leadership and what he does on the rugby pitch.