O’Connell delights at captaincy stand-in role
In the absence of Brian O’Driscoll, it wasn’t even a tough decision for Declan Kidney, given O’Connell’s role as Munster skipper, his past record of stand-in and his captaincy on British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009.
Yet Kidney would probably hope it will only be a temporary measure; O’Connell replaces O’Driscoll as the Leinster player continues to recover from surgery on a trapped nerve in his shoulder.
Ireland kicked off their preparations for the Six Nations yesterday at a two-day camp in Carton House, near Maynooth, and O’Connell delighted in the news of his elevation to captain.
He has been there before but yesterday said a longer-term was welcome.
“The greatest ambition in a player’s career is to play for your country, so to captain Ireland is a huge honour for me and I was delighted when Declan asked me to,” he said.
“I have been lucky to have played for Ireland on 82 occasions and during that time I have always felt that the responsibility of leadership should not just rest on the shoulders of Brian [O’Driscoll] and that the senior players are incredibly important.
“We are lucky in the Ireland squad that we have a couple of outstanding leaders across the pitch and I know that I will be relying on them during the championship.”
O’Connell believes all is well in Irish rugby for now, notwithstanding their ultimately disappointing World Cup exit to Wales at the quarter-final stage.
“I think the squad is in a good place at the moment with the majority of the provinces going well in Europe and in the RaboDirect Pro12, so it’s a case of players continuing to play well to get themselves into a position to be selected in that first squad and then working hard for what I think will be an ultra competitive six nations.”
For weeks now it has been all about the provinces but O’Connell is pleased to have his Irish colleagues back in camp.
“It was good to come back together for the first time since the World Cup and I am now just looking forward to February and to the challenge of the championship.”
Irish coach Kidney, meanwhile, has, beyond the show of support through selection, given O’Connell the thumbs up.
“With Brian [O’Driscoll] on the rehab trail at the moment, we knew that we had to plan for the captaincy and felt that it was fitting that we announce it at the Christmas camp in front of the squad.
“There are a number of players with strong leadership credentials in the squad who have always been supportive of the captaincy and will be important during the championship. Paul has always been one of those leaders in the squad and I was delighted that he accepted the honour and the responsibilities that it brings. I know he will bring through his experience to the position in the championship.”
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