O’Mahony Displays Professionalism Regarding Captaincy Transition

Peter O’Mahony will be a substitute for Ireland’s match against the All Blacks this Friday. This Autumn Nations Series fixture between Ireland and New Zealand is scheduled for the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday, 8 November, with kick-off at 20:10 GMT. Coverage will be available via live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster, and BBC Sounds, as well as live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell stated that Peter O’Mahony reacted to Caelan Doris’ elevation to captaincy “in the right manner”. Earlier this year, Munster flanker O’Mahony captained Ireland to retain their Six Nations title, having been appointed to the role after Johnny Sexton’s retirement. O’Mahony also served as captain during the two-Test series in South Africa over the summer. However, after he was moved to the bench for the second match, Doris assumed the captaincy and will continue in that position for the forthcoming November international games. Farrell commented that O’Mahony has handled the alteration “exactly how Peter always does, in a professional way, in the sense of that’s what leaders should do”. Farrell further stated: “I’ve used him many times as examples in the past of how to handle yourself when things are not quite as how you would like them. “[There are] obviously different permutations with injuries and all sorts of stuff but Peter would be the first one to go up to Caelan and not just congratulate him but help him out as well.” Doris’ appointment as Ireland captain mirrors a comparable development at his club, where Leinster coach Leo Cullen elevated him to a leadership position in September, following James Ryan and Garry Ringrose’s shared captaincy during the 2023-24 season. Consequently, the 26-year-old is being discussed as a potential candidate for the British and Irish Lions captaincy under Farrell, who is set to coach the team’s tour to Australia next summer. When questioned about Doris’ leadership attributes, Farrell responded: “He’s popular among the group because there’s no ego. “He’s unbelievably diligent in getting his own stuff right. He’s professional and come on leaps and bounds over the past four years. He’s comfortable in his own skin.” Farrell further remarked: “He’s like a sponge, learning from the leaders he’s had the pleasure to sit alongside in his international career. “He’s taken it all in. He’s calm, he’s not panicking, he’s taking it all in his stride. That puts everyone else at ease. He’s very comfortable at allowing others to lead at the same time. “On top of that, he’s not in bad form, is he?” Ireland, currently ranked as the world’s top team, will commence their autumn series in Dublin on Friday against New Zealand. This match marks their initial encounter since the All Blacks’ victory in the World Cup quarter-final in Paris a year prior. Given their record of five wins each in their last 10 matches, the rivalry remains intense. In response to a query about the atmosphere within the Ireland camp, Farrell stated: “We all get excited, we’re all rugby fans. Friday night game, first of the international season at the Aviva, if you can’t get excited about that, we’re in the wrong place.”