Peter O'Mahony will lead Ireland out against Scotland on Saturday evening with a Six Nations title on the line.
The Munster veteran took over the Irish captaincy after the post-World Cup retirement of Johnny Sexton and could see his team win back-to-back Six Nations titles this weekend.
Reports suggest that Saturday's game could be the last time we see O'Mahony in the green of Ireland.
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Peter O'Mahony set for Ireland swansong v Scotland
Gerry Thornley of the Irish Times reports on Saturday morning that Peter O'Mahony will likely lead out Ireland for the final time in Saturday's Six Nations decider against Scotland.
Thornley writes that O'Mahony took part in "what is likely to be his last Captain's Run press conference" on Friday, before suggesting that the flanker will play his final game in green on Saturday afternoon.
15 March 2024; Peter O'Mahony speaking during a press conference after an Ireland rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
O'Mahony has won 104 caps during his 12-year-long Ireland career, and had briefly captained his country during the 2018 summer tour victory in Australia. He also captained the British and Irish Lions in the first test of the 2017 tour of New Zealand.
There was some surprise when O'Mahony was named Ireland captain ahead of the Six Nations, with the 34-year-old unlikely to retain his starting place through this World Cup cycle.
However, some pundits - including Brian O'Driscoll - suggested the Corkman's experience made him an ideal candidate to take over from the departing Sexton and ease Ireland into a new era after the disappointment of the World Cup.
O'Mahony has been left in limbo with his contract situation at club level in recent weeks. The back row's contract with Munster expires at the end of the season, and the province have yet to confirm whether it will be renewed amid reports linking O'Mahony with a move to France. The 42 recently reported that both O'Mahony and Conor Murray have finally been offered new contracts by Munster in recent weeks.
If Saturday is to bring the final Peter O'Mahony outing for Ireland, we can only hope it will be a finale fitting for such a brilliant career in green.
Ireland's Six Nations destiny is in their own hands, despite last week's off-colour defeat to England in Twickenham. Two points will guarantee the title for Andy Farrell's side - and even a losing bonus point would in effect guarantee such an outcome, such is Ireland's gargantuan points difference over the other contenders.
Their opponents Scotland could claim the title should things fall their way, as could England or France (full permutations here). Ireland v Scotland kicks off at 4:45pm in the Aviva Stadium, with France v England live from Lyon at 8pm.
Fingers crossed that Peter O'Mahony gets the send-off his Ireland career deserves.
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