O’Connell looking forward to new role

Paul O’Connell admitted yesterday that Ireland have struggled in the absence of Brian O’Driscoll in years past but believes the current vintage possess the maturity and confidence to cope without their talisman.

The Leinster centre has missed just five games in this storied competition since making his bow against England in Twickenham back in 2000 so this Ireland generation is breaking new ground in the weeks to come.

“There’s plenty of leadership in the team,” said O’Connell who takes over as captain. “Certainly in years past when Brian was out there was a bit of a struggle in that we did lose that experience and that knowledge on the pitch and around the dressing-room.

“In terms of the last few years, with the success that the Irish and provincial teams have had, there is enough experience of how to win games. It’s not ideal that one of the best players in the world, with all that experience and knowledge is out, but you have to cope with that.”

Rory Best was the only other viable candidate for the skipper role but O’Connell was the obvious successor given his leadership record with Munster, the Lions and on the few occasions he filled in for O’Driscoll in times past.

He will lead out the side at the Aviva Stadium this Sunday 10 years and two days on from the day he made his senior debut in a green jersey against the same opposition and on the same pitch.

Ireland routed the Welsh 54-10 that day but O’Connell’s memories are mixed at best and muddled at worst after a blow to the head that saw him replaced by Gary Longwell after 31 minutes suffering from concussion.

“I feel good,” he said. “It is strange. For all the time I have been involved with Ireland, whenever I was captain of Ireland for the week, I always knew that Brian was coming back the week after. He was always around the place, in meetings chirping in.

“It’s unusual not to have him around. I’m looking forward to it. We’re in a better place than we were in the past with the experience and confidence of the guys. People are looking forward to the challenge. Certainly I am, I can’t wait.”

O’Connell was something of a bolter that time back in 2002. Originally called up from the A side to cover an injured Malcolm O’Kelly, he ended up starting alongside Mick Galwey and there may yet be a similarly swift rise for young Peter O’Mahony.

Of the 23 names in yesterday’s match-day panel, O’Mahony’s was perhaps the only one that would have raised some eyebrows some months ago and Kidney compared his efficiency in training this week to Conor Murray last summer.

No-one needs reminding of how the Munster scrum-half’s career has soared since and O’Mahony’s versatility across the back row offers serious hope that he could frank a superb season with Munster with a first cap this weekend.

“He does all the simple things very well,” said O’Connell. “He is his own man and his own player. He is not trying to be anything else. It’s the same as people asking about someone coming in to replace Brian, he was in to replace [Alan Quinlan] but he didn’t try to be a Quinny-type player.

“He works really hard, knows his role inside out and he has a bit of leadership about him, which is great. I remember as far back to when I first got picked [for Munster], Declan used to say that you got picked for yourself and just be yourself. That’s what he has done all year.

“He has been brilliant for us and hopefully he can continue it.”