Peter O’Mahony set for shock retirement after Ireland’s Six Nations finale – report

Ireland’s Six Nations title decider against Scotland could be captain Peter O’Mahony’s last Test match, according to reports.

The 34-year-old was named as skipper ahead of the tournament following the retirement of Johnny Sexton, but some wondered whether it would be a short-term appointment.

O’Mahony, given his experience and leadership qualities, was the natural successor to Sexton before they looked for someone to take the role long-term.

Final game

And the Irish Times have claimed that it could come sooner than expected by stating that Saturday will likely be the flanker’s final game for Ireland.

The report also said that the Munster legend took part in “what is likely to be his last Captain’s Run press conference.”

O’Mahony has won over 100 caps for the national team and captained the British and Irish Lions in the opening Test of the 2017 series.

He has also claimed four Six Nations titles, and could make it five later on Saturday, which includes two Grand Slams.

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There was no talk of Test retirement in his pre-match press conference with the back-rower focusing on the game with Scotland.

Ireland missed out on the Grand Slam after their defeat to England but will win the title with a victory in Dublin.

“No, I don’t think so because it’s so rare,” O’Mahony said when asked if their lack of a 100 per cent record would devalue a potential title success.

“I know we’ve had a few in our most recent history but going back over a long period, we’re way down the list of championships won.

“You’re talking about back-to-back Grand Slams and no one has done it because it’s so hard, that’s why.”

10 successive wins

He added: “You’ve got to win 10 Six Nations games in a row, win five away from home. It’s unbelievably difficult to win a game away from home in this championship, if you look at the stats across the board.

“So it’s everything to us tomorrow. Absolutely everything to us, another championship.

“It’s probably a manner of the Irish psyche, ‘Jesus, another championship’, you know what I mean? When all of a sudden a few years ago you’d have taken your arm and your leg off for one.

“We’re still in the same boat, it matters a massive amount to us. It’s what we’re here for, that’s the be all and end all of it, we’re here to win a championship for our country and it couldn’t mean any more to us.”

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