Toner: Ireland will find leaders to step up in lineout

So much has been written about the loss of Paul O’Connell to the Ireland cause in terms of the former captain’s leadership, that it is easy to forget there will also be a direct impact on the Irish lineout.

The veteran lock has gone and Joe Schmidt’s Ireland have to make do without their former lineout leader, “probably the best lineout forward in the world”, according to the head coach last week.

As O’Connell’s former partner in the Irish second row for the past three years, no-one recognises that more than Devin Toner but the Leinster lock, 29, is more than happy to assume responsibility for the lineout and will willingly lead his unit into their championship opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon.