Peter O'Mahony could scarcely have dreamt up a better start to life as Ireland's permanent captain, with his team getting their Six Nations campaign off to a flyer on Friday night against France.
In the din of Marseille's Stade Vélodrome, Ireland produced a performance for the ages to put five tries past France in their own backyard, picking up a bonus point in a record-breaking 21-point win.
The 38-17 victory was surprisingly dominant, and the perfect start to like after Johnny Sexton. With the disappointment from last year's World Cup hanging over both teams, Ireland responded in far superior fashion, and the leadership of O'Mahony was blatantly obvious.
The Munsterman was immense as always in the lineout, and was one of several forwards who put in standout performances in an excellent first half for Ireland. In his post-match interview, he perfectly showed why he has replaced Sexton as captain, singling out the trio of Six Nations debutants for their brilliance.
There are elements of Sexton's leadership which O'Mahony would do well to learn from, not least the Leinster legend's somewhat frosty relationship with referees.
The early signs are positive that we may see a change in this area. In one hilarious clip picked up on the ref mic during Friday's match, O'Mahony could be heard anxiously backpedalling after an F-bomb slipped out during a discussion with referee Karl Dickson.
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Peter O'Mahony had to cover tracks after F-bomb picked up on ref mic
Midway through the first half, Ireland were cruising at 10-0 and had just been awarded a penalty in the middle of the pitch. Ireland captain O'Mahony discussed his team's call with the referee Karl Dickson. Dickson urged O'Mahony to hurry up his call as to whether Ireland would kick for goal.
After that decision was made, Dickson explained some issues he had spotted in the ruck, which led to the brilliant exchange.
Nice save POM😄#FRAvIRE #ThatsMyCaptain pic.twitter.com/y8bKaQZTJd
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) February 3, 2024
(H/t to EK Rugby Analysis on X/Twitter for the edit above)
After Dickson explained to O'Mahony that he had seen players grappling for the ball even while another was held up, O'Mahony began to protest his team's innocence.
However, a Freudian slip saw O'Mahony swear almost immediately. The 34-year-old quickly composed himself and softened up in order to get back onside with the referee:
We're like trying to practice to not fuckin'...take that extra bit. We'll endeavour to get that ball back as quickly as we can...
A quiet "thank you" from Dickson showed he understood the accidental nature of O'Mahony's foul-mouthed slip of the tongue.
Speaking post-match, Peter O'Mahony would sum up just what this win meant to the Ireland team. The Munster veteran said that he would have given up "the whole lot" for a win in Marseille - and he was rewarded in some style:
I don’t think it gets any better really. With the stress of the last couple of days I’d have given the whole lot up for a win tonight.
Away from home, first game up, Friday night, Marseille, the Velodrome, I’d have been a happy man packing the whole lot in tomorrow morning if you’d given me the chance to take a win.
Thankfully, he would clarify that he has no intention of retiring. He and his Ireland teammates now have a brilliant chance of claiming back-to-back Grand Slam titles, with the second game of their campaign bringing Italy to Dublin on Sunday next.
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