Ulster’s Rory Best is Ireland’s new Captain

Ulster hooker Rory Best was named as Toulon lock Paul O’Connell’s successor as Ireland captain in the squad for the Six Nations that was announced on Wednesday.

“I got the call a few days ago, just to say that they had been discussing it as a management group and a coaching staff and that they’d like me to be the captain if I’d like to do it”, said Best. There’s been a lot of highs, don’t get me wrong, but there has been lows along the way.

The Banbridge man has had to watch his brother Simon, a former global tight-head of repute, retire due to injury and take his own blows in a stellar career that has not been a stranger to heartache.

Rory Best will captain Ireland for the RBS 6 Nations with uncapped quartet CJ Stander, Stuart McCloskey, Ultan Dillane and Josh van der Flier the 35-man squad’s newcomers. “It’s a massive honour, it’s a really big deal for my family”.

“Paulie was one of, if not the best captain I ever played under”, he said.

The first training session of the Six Nations campaign will be the following day, with team manager Mick Kearney and a senior player out to meet the press that afternoon.

I was sitting at home and I was obviously sworn to secrecy; it’s been a tough enough secret to keep for a bit. Both him and Brian were fantastic captains for Ireland and they very much led by example.

“They spoke and they spoke well, and people listened”. With Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey the other uncapped player.

“I think that is something I will really take from them”.

Healy’s knee problem and Ross’ hamstring complaint will prove a significant early-tournament blow as Ireland seek to retain the Six Nations crown for a third year in succession.

“For me it shouldn’t change what I do”.

“I was hoping it was good news and it was fairly obvious with the smile on my face that it was”.

“We’ll not be looking beyond Wales and that is what has made Ireland as consistent as we have been under Joe”.

“If we look beyond Wales it would be very foolish and would go away from the core principles of what we are about”.

Six-cap centre Marshall should also feature in Ireland’s wider squad, boosting boss Schmidt’s midfield options after impressing in his move to 13 this term.