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'Huge honour' as 24-year-old Ryan takes Ireland captaincy for England Test

The Leinster lock signalled he will lean on experienced heads like Peter O’Mahony and Keith Earls.

JAMES RYAN WILL start his 30th international for Ireland as captain.

The 24-year-old has long been ear-marked as a leader having skippered Ireland U20s after his schooldays. But following a stint as captain in the wake of Jonathan Sexton’s injury last weekend, he will get the opportunity from the start in Twickenham this Saturday.

While Andy Farrell with not announce his team until tomorrow, with Sexton ruled out yesterday Ryan was put forward for today’s captain’s press conference from the IRFU’s training base in Abbottstown.

And the new captain signalled that he will be surrounded by experience to help him lead Ireland against the World Cup runners-up.

“Huge honour for me, looking forward to it,” said the Leinster lock.

“The great thing is i won’t be on my own. I’ll have Peter O’Mahony there Hendy (Iain Henderson), Keith Earls… huge amount of experience.

He added: “Even when Johnny is captain we drive at the week as a collective. It’s the same this week, but having Pete, Hendy and Keith will make my job easier.”

After calling his appointment as skipper a ‘huge honour’, Ryan insisted that he will try to move it to the back of his mind to an extent as Ireland face into a tough Test against a side who have comfortably beaten Ireland three times on the trot.

“It’s the same for me as it is every week. I want to do my job effectively, not get side-tracked by captaincy stuff.”

“It was a good performance against Wales, this week is a big step up. We know we’ll have to be a lot better again.

“We’ll get a good look at where we’re at.”

- Originally published at 13.38

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    Mute Bryan Russell
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    Nov 17th 2020, 1:41 PM

    Massive honour for the lad and another big step forward. Hopefully all decisions go through him from the group as it should be for a Captain. Massive challenge for the group but also big opportunity.

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    Mute Philip Dunne
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    Nov 17th 2020, 3:48 PM

    @Bryan Russell: future Lions Captain is his career progression is anything to go by.

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    Mute Smiley
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    Nov 17th 2020, 2:50 PM

    Now that is future proofing the team. Give him the captaincy as part of the WC cycle. Let him gain the experience of when to push refs and when to leave things go.

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Nov 17th 2020, 3:02 PM

    Bigger thing of note here is that POM will start. I’ve been a big critic of him and he played well against Wales but where does Doris go if POM is at 6? Also surely Will Connors should be brought in for his tackling alone.

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    Mute Phil Mc Donald
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    Nov 17th 2020, 3:07 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: and will our back row be like a trio of prairie dogs, popping their heads up at every scrum to keep an eye on Billy V? It didn’t work out well for Leinster vs Sarries recently…

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    Mute Harry Fanning
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    Nov 17th 2020, 3:25 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Where does it say POM is starting?

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    Mute #JUSTICE4NOEL
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    Nov 17th 2020, 3:51 PM

    @Harry Fanning: Read JRs quote about having POM will make it easier.

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    Mute Harry Fanning
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    Nov 17th 2020, 6:18 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Yeah that’s because he’s part of the leadership group. Doesn’t mean hes starting.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Nov 17th 2020, 8:52 PM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: step forward with Ryan as captain hopefully not a step backwards with POM at 6.

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    Mute Axel Beckett
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    Nov 17th 2020, 11:02 PM

    @Chris Mc: POM at 7 more likely

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Nov 18th 2020, 12:13 AM

    @#JUSTICE4NOEL: Think he’s referring to the group as a whole this week rather than the game specifically in fairness.

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Nov 17th 2020, 2:31 PM

    Well I guess we know who 4 of the players on the weekend will be. Whether they’re all starting or some are on the bench is another thing.

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    Mute Michael Buckley
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    Nov 17th 2020, 2:49 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: arguably most people would have guessed that those 4 would be in the 23

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Nov 17th 2020, 3:38 PM

    @Michael Buckley: well POM will either start or be on the bench. Hendy and Earls are less clear given their health/injury issues. Roux performed particularly well on the weekend and Beirne offers breakdown skills that will be important against Englands new jackal specialist: Willis. Then you’ve got Earl’s Conway and keenan competing for 2 positions. So I havent a breeze who will get the nod

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    Mute The Fridge
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    Nov 17th 2020, 5:07 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: why do people think a jackal specialist can mitigate a jackal specialist?

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    Mute Richard James
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    Nov 17th 2020, 6:16 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: So you’re saying Stockdale is a nailed on starter? Oh, sorry, you mean the Leinsterlad, Lowe – so really its between Earls and Conway for only the third of the three back-three places?

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Nov 17th 2020, 8:17 PM

    @Richard James: stockdale is injured. Him and Lowe are way better than the rest. So there are 2 spots up for grabs.

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    Mute John Peeters
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    Nov 17th 2020, 5:50 PM

    If it is true that POM, Earls and Henderson start, I feel this is a regressive move and who drops out to make way for Earls? Do both Conway and Keenan lose out to make way for Stockdale too. Similarly will Doris’s MOTM performance be rewarded by being dropped to accommodate Stander and POM? If we assume Connors keeps his place. As for Henderson, a little rough on Roux. What this says to the players coming through, sorry we need to roll out some of the “undroppables” that will include Murray and Herring too. IF this is how Ireland will line out on Saturday, it sends a poor message to other players that we won’t risk you v England and see how you get on.

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    Mute Richard James
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    Nov 17th 2020, 6:18 PM

    @John Peeters: Just call Leo and he’ll send the team sheet over to you.

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    Mute John Peeters
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    Nov 17th 2020, 6:48 PM

    @Richard James: whatever floats your boat.

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    Mute Eoin Murphy
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    Nov 17th 2020, 3:20 PM

    Does his mum still drive him to training?

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    Mute John Lowry
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    Nov 17th 2020, 4:26 PM

    Was he meant to give half the team away !

    Wish him the very best of luck as leading a team to take on the English on his first game as captain is some baptism of fire !

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    Mute Laurence Cavanagh
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    Nov 17th 2020, 4:26 PM

    Looks like an evil mofo he’s just what we need

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Nov 17th 2020, 7:06 PM

    @Laurence Cavanagh: Excellent pic

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    Mute Desmond Lyons
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    Nov 17th 2020, 9:07 PM

    Congratulations James (and Mark)! Well deserved! Good luck on Saturday!

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    Mute Siobhan Mc Garrell Mackenzie
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    Nov 18th 2020, 1:34 AM

    Brilliant appointment of our team Saturday PG
    Just want to wish James Ryan…Saturday!! Congratulations James.. Ireland is thrilled with your Appointment as Captain !!!
    Well Done James.. what an achievement for you personally and for your family!!
    Okay let’s get this job done with it respect (as always) the honour of pulling on that jersey etc
    Etc.
    You go James Ryan.. you are a true servant for Ireland and I know you are more than capable !!! Myself and my hubby were just talking about what an excellent player.. !!!

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