Rugby | New Ireland forwards Coach & Munster Name Captain

Peter O’Mahony the new munster captain
via google images

The IRFU today announced that John Plumtree will be taking over as the new forwards coach for the Irish rugby team.

The role, left vacant by Gert Small will be filled by the 48-year-old Kiwi who last coached the Natal Sharks in South Africa. In 2012 he was named South African Coach of the year but surprisingly was let go by the Sharks after a five year spell which saw him lift the Currie Cup in 2008 and 2010.

Plumtree has experience of these parts as a coach of Swansea from 1997 to 2001. While under his care the south Wales side won the Welsh League (1998), the Welsh Cup (1999) and the Welsh-Scottish League (2001). After returning back home New Zealand he took over the Sharks job after a spell as assistant coach at the province.

Commenting on the IRFU website, Joe Schmidt said: “It’s great to have John joining us as part of the Irish coaching team. His proven success and broad experience across a number of competitions along with his ability to provide quality direction will add real value to the team.”

Plumtree is a top class coach whose addition will be a much needed shake up for the Irish rugby team.

In more Irish team related news Paul O’Connell seems to have had the way ahead cleared for him to be appointed Ireland captain after Rob Penney made the decision to name Peter O’Mahony as the new Munster captain.

O’Mahony will take over from Doug Howlett who retired in June. The 23-year-old has a wealth of experience in the leadership capacity after his recent spell as Ireland captain during the tour of North America. He also took over from O’Connell for the 2011/2012 season, while the lock was injured, and also led the Munster A team to success in the British and Irish Cup in 2010.

O’Mahony told Munsterrugby.ie “It is the biggest honour of my career so far and it is very special to me. When I was asked by Rob initially I was just shocked and my first instinct was to jump at it, but I had time to go away and think about it and I wanted to talk to people to get their thoughts. I’m not going to try and fill Paulie’s boots, Axel’s boots or Dougie’s, I’m going to try and be my own captain, look after the lads and figure out the way I’m going to do things.”

There are a lot of rumours speculating that Joe Schmidt is going to hand the Ireland captaincy to O’Connell and with this announcement at Munster it seems that the path is now clear for the 33-year-old to take over from Brian O’Driscoll. With the veteran lock not having any responsibilities at club level to distract him it seems the door is now open for him to be named.

Rugby | New Ireland forwards Coach & Munster Name Captain