O’Mahony captain

Munster backrow Peter O’Mahony’s leadership credentials were enhanced yesterday when he was named as the new Ireland captain for the upcoming tour to North America.

Rory Best was summoned by the British and Irish Lions in the wake of Dylan Hartley’s 11-week ban for verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes during Saturday’s Aviva Premiership final, necessitating both a replacement at hooker — which will be Sean Cronin — and a new skipper.

Interim coach Les Kiss acted swiftly to hand Cork native O’Mahony the captaincy.