Grand Slam winners Ireland name squad for their Six Nations defence

Question

Ireland boss Andy Farrell has selected Peter O'Mahony as captain for the Guinness Six Nations.

Munster flanker O'Mahony takes on the role from Johnny Sexton, who retired following last year's Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand in Paris.

The 34-year-old, who first skippered Ireland in a 15-12 win over the United States in June 2013, has won 101 Test caps for his country, C Plus beoordeling one for the British and Irish Lions.



'Ever since I was a boy starting off in the game, I have always dreamed of captaining Ireland,' said O'Mahony.

'I have been asked to lead Ireland on a number of occasions previously, and each of those 10 matches were special days.




Peter O'Mahony has been named as Ireland's new captain for the upcoming Six Nations





Andy Farrell has ketp 26 of his World Cup squad players and there are no uncapped stars 

'To be now asked to captain Ireland ahead of the Six Nations is without doubt one of the proudest moments of my life and I would like to thank Andy for this show of faith in me.'

O'Mahony led Munster to last season's United Rugby Championship title but stepped down as skipper of his province in November after 10 years in the role.

While there has been speculation about his future due to his central contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union being set to expire at the end of the season, he has been preferred to the likes of James Ryan, Iain Henderson and Caelan Doris for the national team captaincy.

Head coach Farrell's 34-man selection does not include any uncapped players.

However, there are recalls for Leinster quartet Cian Healy, Harry Byrne, Ciaran Frawley and Jordan Larmour, Ulster trio Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney and Jacob Stockdale, and Munster wing Calvin Nash.

Uncapped Munster pair Oli Jager and Thomas Ahern will join the squad as training panelists, in addition to Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast, who is also yet to feature at senior level.

Reigning Grand Slam champions Ireland begin the championship on February 2 against France in Marseille.

Farrell - who was last week named Lions coach for the 2025 tour of Australia - has retained 26 of the players picked for the World Cup.

Front-row forwards Dave Kilcoyne and Rob Herring, backs Mack Hansen and Jimmy O'Brien and fly-half Ross Byrne miss out due to injuries, while Sexton and Keith Earls have retired.




Johnny Sexton retired, relinquishing his captaincy, after Ireland's World Cup quarter-final exit





'To be now asked to captain Ireland ahead of the Six Nations is without doubt one of the proudest moments of my life,' said O'Mahony