Peter O’Mahony represents most unquantifiable of qualities

KEY COG: Peter O'Mahony during Ireland's captain's run in Bordeaux. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Rewind back to the moment before impending disaster. At the end of the 2019 World Cup group stages, Joe Schmidt took aim at enduring criticism of Peter O’Mahony’s performances. The numbers didn’t add up. His season included a long list of underwhelming stats.

And still he was consistently picked. For Schmidt, it was all about what he sees. His code was that of Tony Montana, another torching innovator who spectacularly flamed out in the end; the eyes did not lie.