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'CJ would be a brilliant Ireland captain - but the debate will come up'

Who should be the Ireland captain going forward? Alan Quinlan considered Johnny Sexton's long wee...



Who should be the Ireland captain going forward? Alan Quinlan considered Johnny Sexton's long week and the potential players vying for the role in Andy Farrell's set-up. 

In the immediate aftermath of Johnny Sexton's shaking head and the potential damage it could do within the Irish camp, Alan Quinlan didn't reckon it was that big of a deal.

After two former Irish captains in Keith Wood and Brian O'Driscoll shared their dismay with Sexton's act with OTB Sports mid-week, Quinlan allowed that Ireland's starting out-half could have done better - but it is time to move on.

"He vented his frustration and it was probably the wrong thing to do," Quinlan suggested on Friday's OTB AM. "Would it bother me as a player on the team? It wouldn't have an impact on me.

"I think he was right to come out and be honest about it, but I think he is a very honest fella and doesn't shy away from issues. He has little narky edge that I like in players."

Nevertheless, questions concerning the Ireland captain and who it should be going forward predate last weekend's incident in Paris. At 35, Sexton's future is understandably linked to the short-term.

Officially picking up the captaincy when Rory Best retired last year, Quinlan believes that the time is already upon Andy Farrell to be looking at the next man in line after Sexton.

"I'm not saying it is necessarily time to change it now," Quinlan clarified, "but particularly for one or two of these games coming up maybe give James Ryan an opportunity, or even look at someone different.

"Ultimately, I think you need more options for captain anyway. I think someone like CJ Stander would be a brilliant captain for Ireland. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he is so consistent and he's done it for Munster."

One of the more experienced players in Farrell's team, the appointment of the South African-born Stander as Ireland captain would represent a first.

Despite making his international debut with Ireland in 2016 and recording 43 Irish caps since then, Quinlan accepts that Stander's suitability for the role could come under scrutiny given his background.

"I do think Stander is different," he argued, "because he has been here for so long and has proven himself for Ireland. But, it is always a debate that will come up.

"If James Lowe is picked now over Keith Earls or Hugo Keenan, I'm sure the reaction online will be about his being selected over an Irish guy."

After suffering a disappointing defeat to France last weekend and scuppering their hopes of a Six Nations triumph, the next test for Farrell's men is against Wales in a week's time.

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Alan Quinlan Andy Farrell CJ Stander Ireland Johnny Sexton Rugby