FORMER Ireland lock Donncha O’Callaghan returns to Worcester Warriors’ line-up after the “saddest week” of his life.

The ex-British and Irish Lion is struggling to find the right words to describe his sorrow at the sudden death of friend and former Munster captain Anthony Foley at the age of 42.

Cork-born O’Callaghan, 37, attended the funeral of Foley, who made 201 appearances for Munster, played 62 Tests for his country, 86 European ties, three European finals and three semi-finals.

O’Callaghan was also at an emotionally-charged Thomond Park last weekend as Munster secured a 38-17 Champions Cup win against Glasgow Warriors, despite Keith Earls’ early red card.

“I was so proud of how the 23 lads behaved and reflected what Munster is about and the hurt that had gone on and hat’s off to the staff,” said O’Callaghan, who is expected n Worcester’s squad to face Harlequins on Saturday (3pm).

“It been very hard to verbalise what has gone on but the Munster players did exactly that through sport and I have not been so proud to have been at anything in life.”

O’Callaghan saw Foley, the Munster head coach, on the Friday – just two days before he died suddenly in Paris ahead of a Champions Cup fixture against Racing 92.

“It was the saddest week of my life and all we took comfort from being around the lads again,” said O’Callaghan who joined Warriors last autumn after 270 competitive appearances in 17 seasons with Munster.

“You live through special days and I think we shared some special days through our rugby.

“I am a non-drinker but I never wanted to leave the pub because it was a tonic to be around the lads.

“I have been finding it hard to put into words what it has been like.

“It’s something you can never imagine will happen.

“He was such a good guy and you wanted him in your team.

"He’s a dad who went off to work and didn’t come home."

O’Callaghan, who won 94 caps for Ireland, said: “I met the guy on the Friday and then I heard the news on Sunday.

“He was my captain, my team-mate and a guy I would walk on broken glass for.

“It’s shocking. It’s hard to think about him not being around but that’s nothing to what it’s like to lose a husband, dad, son and brother. You think of his family and how tough it is for them.”

Foley captained Munster to victory against Biarritz in the 2006 Heineken Cup final and wrote his name into the Irish rugby history.

“Axel, for me, was like a brother and always the guy you wanted to impress,” said O’Callaghan.

“I remember everyone said he wasn’t amazing in the gym but when it came to rugby he never wasted a session and I always admired that about him.

“I used to come down to team meetings and I knew I didn’t need to worry about motivation because all I had to do was listen to Axel and that would get me motivated.

“I used to look to him and he could make me play beyond myself - that’s something I am thankful to him for.”