Johnny Sexton's departure leaves Ireland in search of new talisman and new captain

Whoever the new skipper is, they will have enormous shoes to fill now that Sexton has brought the curtain down on his illustrious career.

SO LONG SKIPPER: Ireland's Jonathan Sexton applauds the fans after the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter final match at Stade de France.

Ninety-nine men have captained the Ireland rugby team. The question next year, when Andy Farrell’s side get back on the horse that is the Six Nations, is if there will a hundredth, or if the head coach reverts to one of the four remaining players who have held the honour before.

Peter O’Mahony wore the armband for the first time against Italy ten years ago. James Ryan, Iain Henderson and Tadhg Furlong have since followed in those footsteps.