Kidney loses two skippers

Ireland could have a new captain when they face South Africa after Declan Kidney received a massive double injury blow yesterday.

The national coach lost two of his most valued leaders, Brian O’Driscoll and Rory Best, in one afternoon as the duo were ruled out of the November internationals.

Paul O’Connell, the 2009 Lions captain, would appear the most likely man to fill the void left by the Leinster man who has led Ireland on 83 occasions. However, he is struggling with a back injury and Kidney admitted the burden of captaincy may prove too much for the 33-year-old Limerick man.