Why France are my favourites for the title

PETER O’Mahony’s appointment as Ireland captain for the Six Nations at the age of 34 was a little surprising, in much the same way as Jamie George’s was for England.

- JEREMY GUSCOTT

In both cases you are left won dering whether they will make it to the next World Cup, but it is a question of whether coaches like Andy Farrell and Steve Borthwick are picking a captain for the here and now, or for the future – with examples like Will Carling and Lawrence Dallaglio in the 1990s being given the captaincy very early in their international careers.

It signals how well they know their guys, and also how fit and durable they are. O’Mahony is a warrior. He always gets stuck in – and sometimes it’s easier to select someone who is an experienced player and has genuine authority. He has that, having captained Ireland into double figures already, as well as captaining the Lions in one Test, and being a serial skipper for Munster.

O’Mahony is a natural leader. He’s one of those who has that look in the eye if he’s not happy, so he doesn’t have to tell a player to let him know he has to raise his game.

Johnny Sexton had a very big impact as Irish captain in terms of the high standards he set and what he demanded from his teammates. However, I don’t believe a lot will change in the Six Nations from the way Ireland played before the World Cup, or during it, apart from O’Mahony bringing a change of voice, and a re-focus.

Everywhere you look in the Irish team there is such ability. Hooker Frankie Sheehan is a brilliant player, and both the starting props, loosehead Andrew Porter and tighthead Tadhg Furlong, are formidable. The back row is also exceptional with O’Mahony lining up alongside openside Josh van der Flier, who is one of the best in the world, and No.8 Caelan Doris, who is not far behind.