Paul OConnell is backing the Lions to play their part in a thrilling series in New Zealand next summer - without his help. Kevin Durant Thunder Jersey . The former skipper, who led the side on the 2009 tour of South Africa, was forced to retire from playing earlier this year after failing to recover from a torn hamstring.Irishman OConnell has since spent time helping out with the academy at Munster, the club where he came through the ranks and won two European titles. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. But the 36-year-old says next summers Lions series in the world champions backyard will come too soon for a role on Warren Gatlands staff, even in an informal capacity.Im nowhere near that level, OConnell told Sky Sports News HQ at a book signing for his autobiography.The small bit of coaching Ive done with academy I realise what a big jump it is and how much experience you need. OConnell was brought in to the Europe team set-up ahead of the recent Ryder Cup He has a great selection of people available to him, and there are so many people on the staff these days I think coaches are trying to have less people involved. The less people involved the clearer the message.OConnell was recently brought in to give a motivational speech to Europes Ryder Cup team, but his own inspiration as a young rugby player was a fellow Munsterman from a different sport.We grew up watching Roy Keane, he said. He was our role model and we were quite tough on each other. It led to us being successful at Munster, but training was a tough environment.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Rugby on Sky Follow @SkySportsRugby Pundits Fixtures and results Detlef Schrempf Thunder Jersey . The Heat centre scored 10 of his 30 points early in the first quarter to silence the Toronto fans as Miami defeated the Raptors 113-101 on Friday night. D.J. Augustin Jersey . The German has taken the pole for three straight races -- winning the first two. Hes aiming for a third consecutive win at the Yeongam circuit and, most importantly, a fourth consecutive F1 championship. https://www.thunderrookiesshop.com/Abdel-Nader-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Wide receiver Sidney Rice should be fully recovered from a torn knee ligament by the time the Seattle Seahawks start defence of their Super Bowl title, general manager John Schneider said Wednesday.Oakland, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Golden State Warriors exacted some revenge en route to their best start in 20 years. Stephen Curry had 28 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Warriors rolled to a 121-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. The 4-0 Warriors, who havent opened a season this well since beginning 5-0 in 1994-95, were ousted in seven games by the Clippers in the first round of last years playoffs. Draymond Green posted 24 points, eight boards and five assists and Klay Thompson netted 19 points for the Warriors, who shot an NBA season-high 58.1 percent (43-of-74) from the floor. I liked the ball movement ... I feel like we can get a lot better, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. DeAndre Jordan tallied 17 points and 13 rebounds, Chris Paul supplied 15 points, 12 assists and four steals and Jamal Crawford netted 24 points off the bench for Los Angeles, which fell to 3-2 on the young campaign. Its no secret that we got to get better. Were not playing the right way, Paul said. Kevin Hervey Jersey. . Curry scored seven points during a 14-2 first-quarter run, which staked the Warriors to a 21-11 advantage. They led 30-20 after Leandro Barbosa nailed a 3-pointer in the waning seconds of the opening frame. Green and Thompson each put in five points during a 14-2 surge in the second as the onslaught continued. Two Green free throws with 4:03 to go gave Golden State a 52-31 cushion. Curry and Thompson combined to score 18 points in the second and the Warriors took a 65-52 spread into the break. The Clippers scored 22 points in the second. Golden State took a 102-75 advantage into the fourth, where the Warriors coasted to the easy victory. Game Notes David Lee made his season debut due to a strained left hamstring, but he reaggravated the injury and played less than seven minutes ... The Warriors and Clippers split their four regular-season meetings last year ... Golden State was 15-of-25 (60 percent) from beyond the arc. ' ' '