The retirement of Jonathan Sexton has turned over a new page for Irish rugby. As fans now turn to the question of who will be the next Irish captain?
As Denis Leamy outlined who he believes should take over the role in the week, it has clearly become a talking point for all involved in Irish Rugby. When Johnny Sexton took over after the disastrous 2019 World Cup, he was 34 years of age.
There is only one Johnny Sexton 💥#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/SnZNAXufek
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) November 17, 2023
Over the next 4 years he would lead Ireland to a series win in New Zealand, a Grand Slam (secured at home for the first time) and a 17 game winning streak in test matches. All of these were historic feats for Irish Rugby but with the quarter final exit, it feels like the story wasn't completed for that team.
Now the question is, do Ireland want to install a figure such as Peter O'Mahony to the role, who is also 34, or look to a more long term option, with the wealth of young talent currently making its through the ranks in Ireland.
Stephen Ferris on Ireland's next Captain
Former Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris gave his thoughts this week when speaking on The Build-up.
This is the question many Irish fans are sitting and pondering. After this World Cup will Andy Farrell go; okay, let's prepare ourselves for the next Rugby World Cup.
So let's filter out some of the older lads, one of those being Peter, maybe even look at the centres, when the next Rugby World Cup comes, they're going to be in their mid thirties. Even scrum half, Gibson Park or even the front row.
Ferris pondered whether Farrell would be looking to bring in some raw, talented youngsters to the squad;
Will we see the likes of Edogbo or Thomas Ahern? Iain Henderson is also pushing on. The likes of Joe McCarthy who was fantastic with the opportunities he got in the World Cup.
Will we see a huge shift? A mass turnover of players where Andy Farrell sets his stall out early? Or will he use a Six Nations and a summer tour to South Africa just to gauge where these young guys are at before making a huge change?
He did also see the merit in Leamy's argument for O'Mahony to take over as national captain, but questioned how long O'Mahony would be a guaranteed starter for:
I know Denis Leamy came out and said Peter was the right man to take that captain's armband and it's hard to disagree. He is well respected, maybe not so much by the Kiwi fans, who all got stuck in to the Irish lads. We can leave that for another day, hopefully we get our revenge.
I think he would be brilliant to captain Ireland for a season, we know his national contract comes to an end this year. But, is there a call to be made for bringing in a Ryan Baird, Culhane, you know, this younger breed of players. Is Peter guaranteed to start every single game for Ireland? Possibly leading in to the last World Cup but maybe not after it.
15 March 2012; Ireland's Stephen Ferris in action against team-mates Peter O'Mahony, left, and Shane Jennings, right, during squad training ahead of their RBS Six Nations Championship match against England. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE
The former Lions flanker outlined the enormity of the call for Ireland head coach, Andy Farrell;
It is a huge call for Andy Farrell, we will wait and see how he figures it all out. They need somebody, for me, who will be playing week in and week out. If Peter is gonna be doing that for another year, then he's the man. If not, they have to look at somebody else.
O'Mahony gets his first run out for Munster this year as he captains his province against the team they beat in last year's URC Final, the Stormers at Thomond Park.
