Isa Nacewa is not exactly a bad replacement but it was certainly notable that Leo Cullen chose to replace Jamie Heaslip as Leinster's permanent captain ahead of last weekend's Pro 12 clash with Treviso. Rightly or wrongly, that decision brought back to the fore some pervious doubts about Heaslip's ability to lead a team to a sufficiently high standard.
Perhaps with that in mind, Cullen has moved to clear up any suggestions that there was more to his decision than meets the eye.
With Paul O'Connell departed, it seems likely that Joe Schmidt will turn to Heaslip once more to lead Ireland into the Six Nations campaign. Rather than some kind of slight against Heaslip, the Leinster coach has intimated that Heaslip's expected international duties played a key role in his decision to turn to Nacewa.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Cullen spoke of how, after the retirement of Kevin McLaughlin, the return of Nacewa delivered the squad with the kind of influence that is very hard to come by.
Nacewa's one cap for Fiji back in 2003 may have resulted in a somewhat unintended hiatus from international rugby, but that has always been of benefit to Leinster and it seems in his second spell that is going to be no different according to Cullen.
Isa gives us real stability. The fact that he’s here during the course of the season is a real advantage.
The fact that he’s here during the course of the year, the fact that Johnny and Jamie are such key figures in leadership roles with Ireland, it’s important to be fair to those guys as well.
Although Nacewa may be the man with the title, Cullen went on to stress that the influence of Heaslip and Johnny Sexton would be equally invaluable.
They're both Leinster guys, very very passionate about the team. Jamie has done the role in the past. Obviously, Johnny’s been away, but has been a key figure in the history of Leinster Rugby and in particular some of the success that has occurred here.
With Nacewa now firmly back in the squad and Sexton having made his second debut at the weekend, hopes will be high that Cullen can help replicate some of that Sexton this season.
[98FM]
