Weighing up the Chris Farrell factor

If Peter O’Mahony goes on to win another 50 caps for Ireland, bar winning the World Cup itself, he will find it difficult to experience a personal moment to match the standing ovation that greeted him when he was replaced by Jordi Murphy against New Zealand recently, writes Donal Lenihan.

If Peter O’Mahony goes on to win another 50 caps for Ireland, bar winning the World Cup itself, he will find it difficult to experience a personal moment to match the standing ovation that greeted him when he was replaced by Jordi Murphy against New Zealand recently. Despite being battered, bruised, and totally exhausted at the time, that resonated.

In time, he will reflect fondly on an unscripted response that captured perfectly a selfless contribution to his first win over the All Blacks.