'Huge honour' as James Ryan handed Ireland captaincy

James Ryan will captain Ireland on Saturday. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

James Ryan will captain Ireland for the first time in this Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup clash with England at Twickenham but he insisted a collective leadership will be a huge help to him.

The 24-year-old second row assumed the leadership role in the first half of last Friday’s victory Wales, his 29th Test cap, when Johnny Sexton was forced off with a hamstring strain that has ruled him out of this weekend’s London trip.