Best in pole to fill in as skipper
While the latter’s knee injury had been well flagged by his enforced departure in Paris, few realised that the captain was in even greater trouble with a similar problem. Not only are the pair out of the remainder of the Six Nations but also have a fight on their hands to be fit for the Munster-Ulster Heineken Cup quarter-final on April 8.
Most focus is now on who Declan Kidney chooses to replace O’Connell with as captain. Ulster’s Rory Best stands out with plenty of experience in the role and is one of the most respected members of the squad.
