Paul O’Connell named Ireland captain for Six Nations

PAUL O’Connell will captain Ireland in this season’s RBS Six Nations Championship. Ireland coach Declan Kidney has turned to the Munster lock in the absence of regular skipper Brian O’Driscoll, who has been ruled out of the tournament after shoulder surgery.

O’Connell was captain of the 2009 British and Irish Lions in South Africa, and he will take the Ireland reins for their Six Nations opener against Wales in Dublin on 5 February. The Ireland squad began preparations for the championship yesterday with a two-day training camp near Dublin.

Current Munster captain O’Connell has led his country in the past, initially against France in 2004, and also when Ireland played England in their World Cup warm-up series four months ago.

O’Connell said: “The greatest ambition in a player’s career is to play for your country, so to captain Ireland is a huge honour for me and I was delighted when Declan asked me to.”

After Wales, Ireland meet France in Paris, then host Italy and Scotland before facing England at Twickenham.