IRELAND CAPTAIN: NO DECISION

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney won't make any decision immediately on his captain under the new regime, preferring to wait until…

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney won't make any decision immediately on his captain under the new regime, preferring to wait until closer to the November Test series.

Ever since Brian O'Driscoll suggested in an interview last season that he might like a break at some point from leading the national side, several candidates have been mooted, including Munster duo Paul O'Connell and Ronan O'Gara. Kidney explained: "Brian (O'Driscoll) and myself have been talking and taking a look at things.

"Come November we'll take a good look at it and see how things are. I think it's important he gets a chance to concentrate on his own game.

"He's been shouldering things for the last five years. We'll see how things go. You don't win three Triple Crowns and throw that away too easily. At the same time you want to give him a small bit of space.

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"It wouldn't be usual to name a captain at the start of a set-up. We'll just see how things go until November and let him enjoy his rugby."

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer