Beirne taking captaincy honour in his stride

PERMANENCY: Munster's Tadhg Beirne and Referee Andrea Piardi. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Tadhg Beirne will lead Munster out against Ospreys at Virgin Media Park on Saturday night as the province’s ninth club captain of the professional era, embracing the extra pressure his new role brings.

Captaincy will not be new to the 31-year-old Ireland lock, who first captained Munster under previous head coach Johann van Graan, but following in the footsteps of Pat Murray, Mick Galwey, Jim Williams, Anthony Foley, Paul O’Connell, Doug Howlett and immediate predecessor Peter O’Mahony on a permanent basis is another development in his leadership journey.