O’Connell: I haven’t given Irish captaincy role much thought

Paul O’Connell does not expect to be offered the Irish captaincy by new Ireland rugby head coach Joe Schmidt.

The former Munster, Ireland and Lions skipper has been touted as the likely choice to begin the Schmidt era, but maintains there are many younger leadership contenders within the squad.

The 33-year-old has spoken previously of his desire to play at the 2015 World Cup, but feels Jamie Heaslip, Jonny Sexton, Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony might be to the forefront of Schmidt’s thinking.