Saturday evening's World Cup pool B game will be a special one for Munster's Peter O'Mahony, who will earn his 100th cap for Ireland against Scotland.
It was confirmed by Andy Farrell on Thursday that O'Mahony will start in an unchanged back row for the crunch game, which will decide Ireland's quarter-final fate at this year's World Cup.
When his single test cap in a British and Irish Lions jersey is counted, O'Mahony earned his 100th test cap against South Africa, but the clash with Scotland in Paris will be his 100th appearance for his country, on what is set to be memorable night for the flanker.
Across the various Irish media sessions this week, coaches Andy Farrell and Paul O'Connell, as well as captain Johnny Sexton, have hailed the influence of Peter O'Mahony behind-the-scenes, and held him up as a shining light in the Irish squad.
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Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton praise Peter O'Mahony on eve of 100th Irish cap
On Thursday Andy Farrell named his starting XV for Saturday's World Cup meeting with Scotland. Aside from the return of Dan Sheehan - and the inclusion of Jack Conan in the 23 after injury - the headline news was the confirmation that Peter O'Mahony would earn his 100th Irish cap at the Stade de France.
34-year-old O'Mahony has been typically excellent in the World Cup thus far and, addressing the media on Thursday, Andy Farrell said that his influence behind-the-scenes was just as important.
Farrell said that O'Mahony was the "best" member of the squad for lifting the dressing room mood, and said that there wasn't a single player a teammate would rather have alongside them than the Munsterman:
We could sit here all day and talk about what he brings and means to us all, what type of bloke he is, the family man he is. He’s selfless. You guys see his performances on the pitch and what it means for him to play for Ireland.
Behind the scenes, he is definitely, 100 per cent, the best I have ever seen at making the dressing room feel right.
It is him being himself because he’s genuine. There’s no better man you’d want sat alongside you than Peter O’Mahony. He’s a selfless player who gives everything to his team-mates and backs that up with consistent performances week in, week out."
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16 September 2023; Ireland players, from left, captain Jonathan Sexton, Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne during the national anthems before the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The vast majority of O'Mahony's 99 caps since his debut in 2012 have come with Johnny Sexton at out-half, and the Leinster star was on media duties with Farrell on Thursday.
Captain Sexton said that O'Mahony was a "great friend" and once again emphasised how important a role he played away from the public eye:
"Peter has been a great friend of mine over the last 10, 11, 12 years, whatever it's been. He’s a consistent big-game player. He’s very different to some of the other leaders. You don’t get to see the real Peter O’Mahony, he gives very little away in public. But he’s the life and soul of the group behind closed doors. It’s a privilege to play with him."
A since-deleted World Rugby clip ahead of Ireland's dramatic victory over South Africa gave an insight into the motivational role O'Mahony plays on the pitch, and he has been one of the most important players in this Irish squad for over a decade now.
An ever-popular member of the squad among fans, it is evident he also garners immense respect among the squad.
15 March 2014; Ireland's Paul O'Connell, left, and Peter O'Mahony following their victory. RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship 2014, France v Ireland. Stade De France, Saint Denis, Paris, France. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
O'Mahony is now a senior member of the playing group, with only four of the 33 players at the World Cup older than the Limerick man. At the time of O'Mahony's debut, one of the paramount senior influences in the squad was Paul O'Connell.
In his role as forwards and lineout coach with the Ireland setup, O'Connell faced the media on Wednesday - and paid tribute to a fellow Munster legend, saying he was proud that a player he met as a young prospect in the province had come to join him in the elite group of Ireland centurions:
I’ve known him since he was 18 when he came into the Munster academy. He was always a leader and always wanted to figure things out. He was able to lead well and speak well and set an example. He’s had a great last few years in his career. He’s fit, understands the game more than ever and that allows him to play really well and be aligned with what the coaches want and what’s best for the team he plays in.
He communicates really well with the group, he sets a lovely tone. Guys speak in different ways and he has a certain way of setting the tone. There’s never any BS about it. It’s always straight and to the point. From that point of view, he’s been great for us.
He had a period a while back where he was on the bench and he was excellent as well. He prepared the starting group and the subs really well, despite being a starter for so long. I think that period was good for him and since he has got back in, he hasn’t let go. I’m delighted as a Munsterman to see him get to 100 caps, if he gets there this weekend. It’s a brilliant achievement and full credit to him.
Kick-off at the Stade de France for Ireland v Scotland on Saturday is at 8pm.
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