In both cases you are left won dering whether they will make it to the next World Cup, but it is a question of whether coaches like Andy Farrell and Steve Borthwick are picking a captain for the here and now, or for the future – with examples like Will Carling and Lawrence Dallaglio in the 1990s being given the captaincy very early in their international careers.
It signals how well they know their guys, and also how fit and durable they are. O’Mahony is a warrior. He always gets stuck in – and sometimes it’s easier to select someone who is an experienced player and has genuine authority. He has that, having captained Ireland into double figures already, as well as captaining the Lions in one Test, and being a serial skipper for Munster.
O’Mahony is a natural leader. He’s one of those who has that look in the eye if he’s not happy, so he doesn’t have to tell a player to let him know he has to raise his game.
Johnny Sexton had a very big impact as Irish captain in terms of the high standards he set and what he demanded from his teammates. However, I don’t believe a lot will change in the Six Nations from the way Ireland played before the World Cup, or during it, apart from O’Mahony bringing a change of voice, and a re-focus.
Everywhere you look in the Irish team there is such ability. Hooker Frankie Sheehan is a brilliant player, and both the starting props, loosehead Andrew Porter and tighthead Tadhg Furlong, are formidable. The back row is also exceptional with O’Mahony lining up alongside openside Josh van der Flier, who is one of the best in the world, and No.8 Caelan Doris, who is not far behind.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin January 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin January 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.