Thursday 7 January 2016 09:52, UK
Paul Wallace says Rory Best is the outstanding candidate to captain Ireland in the upcoming Six Nations.
Joe Schmidt will name Paul O'Connell's successor in the coming weeks and has a number of quality contenders to choose from, including Leinster trio Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien and Johnny Sexton and Munster scrum-half Conor Murray.
Former Lions prop Wallace believes the long-term choice could be Peter O'Mahony, who is sidelined with a knee ligament injury, but says appointing Best would ensure a smooth transition as Ireland begin life without O'Connell.
"Being a front row, I was always a fan of having a front five player as captain," said Wallace, who won 45 caps for Ireland.
"Rory fits that bill but he is also the best Irish player at the breakdown; he's like a number seven in that regard. I know there was a bit of thought about Richie McCaw and having a seven as captain, but it doesn't necessarily need to be a No 7 these days. It's the guy fighting on the ground and Rory is always in there.
Best has a real understanding. You can see that in the way he has developed his game, from his work at the breakdown to his support play.
"There is an opinion that Best wouldn't be able to captain both Ulster and Ireland but I think he can. Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell managed it very successfully and most international captains tend to be captains at club level.
"Nowadays, you're away on international duty for long spells so it's a case of handing the responsibility over to one of the overseas players like Ruan Pienaar.
"Best is a standout figure and has great mental strength. He is a very humble, down to earth man and I like the way he interfaces with the press. He's very straight and honest.
"He might only have another couple of years left but he has the respect of all the other players. Maybe it's a time to put him in as captain and groom one of the others."
Ireland's most-capped hooker, Best has captained his country on four occasions and could hit a century of caps this year.
Heaslip was Ireland vice-captain during the World Cup and Wallace was impressed by the Leinster No 8's performance during last month's win over Munster, but believes his place in the Ireland team will come under pressure from CJ Stander.
"After Rory, the next in line would be Jamie and he proved his point against Munster in Thomond Park," said Wallace.
"I think he will hold his position at No 8 and start against Wales but he is under big competition from Stander. It's going to be close-fought and you want a captain who is guaranteed his place."
Half-back duo Murray and Sexton are two of the first names on Schmidt's team sheet, but Wallace says they do not need the extra responsibility that captaincy brings.
"With nine and 10, I think the last thing they need is the captaincy," he said. "Sexton has been struggling for form. I'm never a fan of 10s being captains. They're meant to be running the show; add in place-kicking and they don't need that extra pressure.
"Conor Murray is one of the quieter players. He is coming back from injury and I still think he's a bit young."
O'Brien has been playing his way back into form with Leinster after an inner ear issue and Wallace says the back row could be an outside bet for the Ireland captaincy.
However, given O'Brien's history of injuries and the importance of Best to Ireland's defensive system, Wallace is leaning towards the 33-year-old Ulster hooker.
"Sean O'Brien is a bit of a bolter but he hasn't a lot of experience as captain and has been struggling with injuries," he said. "I would prefer for him to concentrate on getting his own game back.
"O'Brien is a barnstorming player and leads from the front with his ball-carrying and big tackles, but when you look at Best's work rate during a game, for a front row forward it is outstanding.
"Best has a real understanding. You can see that in the way he has developed his game, from his work at the breakdown to his support play.
"There's nothing to say Best won't go to the next World Cup. He has always been a pacy player. Nowadays, if you look after yourself well, there is no reason why a front row player cannot be at their prime at 36 or 37.
"I'm not a believer that you've got to have your captain in place four years before a World Cup. It's about the here and now, looking at the Six Nations and the tour of South Africa.
"For me, Rory would be the best guy to lead Ireland."
