Best succeeds O'Connell as Ireland rugby captain

Ulster hooker Rory Best was named as Toulon lock Paul O'Connell's successor as Ireland captain in the 35-man Six Nations squad that was announced by head coach Joe Schmidt on Wednesday.
O'Connell, 36, retired from Test duty during the World Cup after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the tournament and Best, 33, has seen off competition from Sean O'Brien and Johnny Sexton to become the new skipper.

Jamie Heaslip has been named vice-captain, while New Zealander Schmidt has called up four uncapped players in Ultan Dillane, CJ Stander, Josh Van Der Flier and Stuart McCloskey for Ireland's defence of the trophy.

"As always there were a number of tight decisions, especially with a number of players not being available to play in recent weeks," Schmidt said in a statement on the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) website.

"With plenty of new personnel involved the RBS 6 Nations is going to be incredibly challenging and the players selected will know they will need to be at their best to be competitive."

South Africa-born Munster captain Stander, 25, is in contention for a back-row spot after qualifying to play for Ireland on residency grounds shortly after the World Cup.

There are two other uncapped forwards in Connacht lock Dillane and Leinster flanker Van Der Flier, while Ulster centre McCloskey is the only uncapped player among the 16 backs.

Ulster wing Tommy Bowe, Ulster locks Iain Henderson and Dan Tuohy and Munster back-row forward Peter O'Mahony have all been ruled out of the Six Nations due to long-term injuries.

But Schmidt said that short-term absentees such as props Cian Healy (knee) and Mike Ross (hamstring) and flanker Chris Henry (shoulder) could return after Ireland's first two matches against Wales and France.

"Stalwarts such as Mike Ross, Cian Healy and Chris Henry are all likely to return to play over the coming weeks and they, along with some of the other players not included, will potentially return to the squad post these first two matches," he said.

Schmidt said that he had elected against including young prospects such as 20-year-old Leinster centre Garry Ringrose, who has been likened to Ireland great Brian O'Driscoll.

"There are a few new faces, but at the same time we have resisted the temptation to include some of the very promising youngsters, allowing them a bit more time to develop as well as the opportunity of further game time with their provinces," he said.

Ireland begin their quest for a third successive Six Nations crown against Wales at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on February 7, before tackling France in Paris the following weekend.

Squad

Forwards (19): Rory Best (Ulster, capt), Sean Cronin (Leinster), James Cronin (Munster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Rob Herring (Ulster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht)

Backs (16): Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Conor Murray (Munster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster)

Fixtures

Feb 07: v Wales (h)

Feb 13: v France (a)

Feb 27: v England (a)

Mar 12: v Italy (h)

Mar 19: v Scotland (h)

Source :AFP