Alastair Campbell has said he is “very glad” Paul O’Connell opted not to knock him out during a Lions tour in New Zealand.

The Irish rugby legend has revealed in his autobiography that he felt insulted by a speech Tony Blair’s former press secretary gave the team during the 2005 series, in which he questioned their commitment.

O’Connell says he was tempted to find Campbell and “knock him out”.

For his part, Campbell admits he thought the speech was “a bit of a risk” , and says it was a relief that he didn’t have to face O’Connell.

“Paul and I have become good friends. I think he’s a great guy,” he said.

“He phoned me to warn me it was going to be in the Sunday Times that he was thinking of knocking me out and I said I was very glad he didn’t.”