Peter O’Mahony’s first Ireland start for over a year will see him lead Joe Schmidt’s side against Canada.
O’Mahony was, today, named in Schmidt’s XV for Saturday’s game. It is a completely changed side from the one that turned over New Zealand 40-29.
Four weeks after the earth-shattering loss of Munster coach Anthony Foley, O’Mahony will lead Ireland out against Canada at the Aviva Stadium.
The Cork native was every inch the captain for his Munster side when facing the press, capturing the sombre yet grateful mood towards Foley and leading his men through a tough week.
He quaked and boiled with emotion during the ‘Stand Up And Fight’ tribute to Foley at before reigning that in to deliver a truly immense, focused performance in a resounding victory.
O’Mahony has not been in an Ireland team since he injured his knee so wretchedly in the World Cup win over France. He missed the rest of 2015/16 and only returned at the start of last month for his province.
There had been talk of the 25-year-old being Ireland captain after Paul O’Connell but his knee knock delayed the inevitable. He missed out on the 40-29 victory over New Zealand but will be eager to face them in the return match by having a decent outing against the Canadians.
Both O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien, in particular, have expressed frustration at missing out on the All Blacks victory. Asked about their being riled up and ready to prove a point, Schmidt said:
“Potentially [they will be] but I don’t want them too frustrated. I want them focused and ready to do what they can do for the group. I’ve had a lot to do with them for the last three years
“As tempted as we were last week, our greatest fear was somebody getting injured early in the match and one of those guys having to come off the bench for 70 minutes. As it transpired [with Jordi Murphy’s injury], it was 56 minutes. When you are competing with the All Blacks, that is still 56 very fast minutes.”
Schmidt, once again, talked up the alternatives to the experienced O’Mahony and O’Brien. The Kiwi was once again stressing his squad’s strength in depth.
“In the end,” he said, “we were really confident that Josh [van der Flier] could do a job and, as you saw, he did.”
Schmidt has no doubt that O’Mahony will be ready.
The auditions for the vacant No.7 jersey are about to begin.
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