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IRELAND BOSS ANDY Farrell has named Peter O’Mahony as his new captain as he announced his squad for the upcoming 2024 Six Nations.
34-year-old O’Mahony takes over from the retired Johnny Sexton as skipper.
Farrell has not included any uncapped players in his official 34-man squad for the Six Nations, which kicks off with a trip to play France in Marseille on Friday 2 February.
However, Munster tighthead Oli Jager, lock/flanker Thomas Ahern, and 20-year-old Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast will travel with the squad for next week’s training camp in Portugal ahead of the Six Nations.
Leinster pair Harry Byrne and Ciarán Frawley are named as out-half options in the squad along with Munster’s Jack Crowley, who is expected to take over from Sexton at number 10.
36-year-old loosehead prop Cian Healy is recalled after missing the World Cup through injury, while Ulster hooker Tom Stewart comes in for injured team-mate Rob Herring.
Ulster man Nick Timoney has earned a call-up among the back row options, while Munster’s Calvin Nash, Leinster’s Jordan Larmour, and Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale come into the back three mix after missing out on World Cup selection.
World Cup squad members Mack Hansen, Rob Herring, Ross Byrne, Jimmy O’Brien, and Dave Kilcoyne were among those unavailable for selection due to injuries.
Ireland will gather at the IRFU’s training centre in Dublin on Monday and then travel to Portugal next Wednesday to continue their Six Nations prep.
Farrell hailed O’Mahony as “a born leader” and the Munster man outlined his pride at taking on the captaincy ahead of the Six Nations.
“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. 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 Farrell for this show of faith in me.
“We have a strong core of leaders who will all play a key role in driving the highest standards for the team over the coming weeks. Competition is red hot across the squad and we’re all hugely motivated to work hard when we meet up next week ahead of the opening game in Marseille.”
Loosehead props: Andrew Porter, Cian Healy, Jeremy Loughman
Hookers: Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher, Tom Stewart
Tighthead props: Tadhg Furlong, Finlay Bealham, Tom O’Toole
Locks: James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy
Back rows: Peter O’Mahony (captain), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Nick Timoney
Scrum-halves: Jamison Gibson-Park, Conor Murray, Craig Casey
Out-halves: Jack Crowley, Harry Byrne, Ciarán Frawley
Centres: Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey
Back threes: James Lowe, Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Jordan Larmour, Jacob Stockdale.
Training panellists: Oli Jager, Thomas Ahern, Sam Prendergast.
Written by Murray Kinsella. The Journal publishes the biggest breaking news in Irish and international sport but for all of The 42′s insightful analysis and sharp sportswriting, subscribe here.
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I lived in Galway for 3 years before moving to Dublin. It rained for most of the 3 years. The difference in weather between the two cities is hard to believe.
I’m here matey. The most miserable place to be in the depths of winter. That’s why everyone drinks so much here.
Spot on Liam, there was only one sunny day in Galway this year, July 1st.`
The Independent will have a piece today saying biblical flooding is on the way, “according to expert sources”.
Who’s going to be out shopping in mantainous regions???….
* mountainous.
Stupid butty finger syndrome. ..
Tom. Most people forget that in the west, we get whats out in the atlantic first. So every storm etc has abated by the time it hits inland and the east. You’d be worse off without the west.
It’s easily been raining in Galway since the start of December, possibly getting worse, cabin fever on the way !
As long as there is no snow and ice I do not care
Spotted a great headline in the local newspaper in an episode of Mrs. Brown’s Boys, it read “More weather on the way”, reading this article I see where that humour came from.
Lousy in Galway at the minute but a brolly is pointless, windier that the aftermath of a bean fest.
It’s something to do with the weather I think
Sunny in Waterford, a lot of people shopping in t-shirts and shorts……
Go to Dublin n shop!
Raining in Dublin too
Last week, they told us to get ready for the coldest snap since the 60s & now this. Meanwhile, accuweather.com is predicting sunny spells & 9º in my area for Xmas Day. I really wish the media would stop trying to give people the shits.
You’ve written an article about the West with a hashtag #miserable. Bit harsh Sinead.
One day last year I went to Galway it pi ssed rain the whole day it was like winter and cold. In Dublin it was warm and sunny. For such a small island the difference in weather. The west certainly does get the worse weather in Ireland.
During the summer, I left Dublin at about 11am one morning to head to Galway and there was an 11 degree (C) difference in temperature by the time I got there. It was far warmer in Galway.
A lot if rubbish comments here I traveled from Galway to Dublin on Wednesday 9deg all the way to the midlands got to Dublin and it was monkeys next day was worse , the Atlantic breeze is warmer than any other in winter, and in Ireland history tells largest cattle owners brought there stock to Clare because it was the warmest in winter this is before is before Vikings or Brits ever landed on the island
Photos doing the rounds of snow in Lucan in the early hours of this morning
have your say