PAUL O’CONNELL WILL take over the captain’s armband when Ireland begin their RBS Six Nations campaign against Wales on 5 February.
The Munster skipper has been chosen by coach Declan Kidney to lead out the national side out in the absence of Brian O’Driscoll who is continuing his recovery following surgery on an injured shoulder.
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O’Connell, who has 82 international caps, has captained Ireland on a number of occasions in the past, most recently in the World Cup warm-ups against England last August.
“The greatest ambition in a player’s career is to play for your country, so to captain Ireland is a huge honour for me and I was delighted when Declan asked me to,” O’Connell said as the squad began their preparations for the tournament with a two-day training camp in Carton House, Maynooth.
“I have been lucky to have played for my country on 82 occasions and during that time I have always felt that the responsibility of leadership should not just rest on the shoulders of Brian and that the senior players are incredibly important.
“We are lucky in the Ireland squad that we have a couple of outstanding leaders across the pitch and I know that I will be relying on them during the Championship.”
“There are a number of players with strong leadership credentials in the squad who have always been supportive of the captaincy and will be important during the Championship,” Kidney said.
“Paul has always been one of those leaders in the squad and I was delighted that he accepted the honour and the responsibilities that it brings. I know that he will bring through his experience to the position in the Championship.”
Sexton is the leader we need. But as kidney can’t just tell rog his time is up sexton is not certain of a game.
POC is a leader and as a munster man his jersey is nailed on so he’s the best choice.
Too soon for Sexton, way too soon! He is becoming an Irish legend and I’m sure he’ll be captain when the time is right! He does struggle in Irish jersey at the moment, he needs more time!
By the time POC and BOD retire i think Sexton will be ready to captain the side. It’s not as though he is a kid! He’s mid-20s, so he’s coming to that stage of his career…
Sexton maybe in the next 4 or 5 years but it would be way too soon to give him captancy in the next 2 or 3 years,i mean,who is to say he will even be 1t choice out half in the next 2 or 3 years,likes of Madigan and Keatly progressing through the ranks who is to say,it was also a crime not to give Humphrys a shot at the 10 jersey when Sexton was
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Hate that headline, man. Armband is a soccer term. Delighted for Paulie, though. The best choice in the absence of BOD.
No way Sexton he can’t take the pressure playing not to mind as captain !
@ Elrat absolute horsesh1te
Don’t feed him, Conor
After his role in the Northampton win for Leinster; is it time to consider Sexton as captain?
You mean O’Driscolls waist band!!
Sexton is the leader we need. But as kidney can’t just tell rog his time is up sexton is not certain of a game.
POC is a leader and as a munster man his jersey is nailed on so he’s the best choice.
Too soon for Sexton, way too soon! He is becoming an Irish legend and I’m sure he’ll be captain when the time is right! He does struggle in Irish jersey at the moment, he needs more time!
@niall, I agree with you 100% with your comment!!!!
Wonder who it might be after bod and Paulie retire? Jamie Heaslip?
It’ll be Sean o’Brien me thinks
I think Sexton will be the next Captain after BOD and POC retire. He’s the makings of one, a few more years and he’ll be ready.
I met the guy in the airport bar the day before Christmas eve. A real gent.
No better man.
1000% agree Kevin….man is a dynamo!
By the time POC and BOD retire i think Sexton will be ready to captain the side. It’s not as though he is a kid! He’s mid-20s, so he’s coming to that stage of his career…
Sexton maybe in the next 4 or 5 years but it would be way too soon to give him captancy in the next 2 or 3 years,i mean,who is to say he will even be 1t choice out half in the next 2 or 3 years,likes of Madigan and Keatly progressing through the ranks who is to say,it was also a crime not to give Humphrys a shot at the 10 jersey when Sexton was
Couldn’t take the pressure in the biggest rugby tournament in the world !