Bernard Jackman believes Garry Ringrose has the makings of the next Ireland captain when Johnny Sexton retires.
The Leinster centre, who turned 28 today, has been in career-best form this season for both province and country, the most recent impressive display coming against Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday, where he had a hand in three of their six tries and was named Player of the Match.
As well as scoring six tries in 14 games for Leinster and Ireland this season, Ringrose has also earned high praise for his physicality in defence, particularly in Ireland's Autumn Nations Series wins against South Africa and Australia in November.
"He's very interesting, because he's so consistent, week-in and week-out it's eight or nine out of 10, and has a real edge to him as well," Jackman said on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast.
"He has the flair and ability to do extraordinary things, but defensively and at the breakdown he's very clinical. There's a real edge to the physicality he brings.
"He's become a key man. Also, Leinster are missing Robbie Henshaw, and he's been able to build a relationship with Ngatai or Jamie Osborne and not affect his ability to be a star performer.
"He'll probably go into the Irish camp against Wales and partner up with Bundee [Aki] you would imagine, and you wouldn't expect there to be any issue."
"It's the best version of ourselves preparing for the best version of the opposition." - Garry Ringrose starred as Leinster outlasted Racing.#HeinekenChampionsCup
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) January 21, 2023
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Ringrose has stepped up as a regular captain of Leinster this season in the absence of Johnny Sexton, a role which he has taken to seamlessly.
And while Peter O'Mahony and James Ryan have been the usual stand-in captains for Ireland in recent years, Jackman believes his recent form shows Ringrose as a potential candidate for the role in the long term, after Sexton retires.
"He just seems to get on with it, and I know he's incredibly highly respected by players who have played with him, both at Ireland and Leinster.
"You'd say if there was a Lions tour, he'd have to be very close to be a starting 13.
"It's the leadership element as well, part of the leadership group with Ireland. He probably looks like he's the long term replacement for Sexton, certainly at Leinster, and maybe even Ireland as captain," he added.
Former Munster out-half Jonny Holland was also on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, with attention turning towards the start of the Six Nations next week.
Sexton looks set to be fit to start against Wales in Ireland's opener in Cardiff on Saturday 4 February, with Ross Byrne (below) and Jack Crowley fighting it out to supplement him off the bench.
And the Cork Constitution head coach believes Byrne's big-game experience will probably see him beat the Munster youngster for the 22 jersey.
"I'll go against my [Cork Con] bias with Jack, but I think Ross Byrne will wear it [22], because the Millennium Stadium is a tough place to go," Holland said.
"Johnny Sexton will start, but I think when the pressure comes on in the latter half of that game, I'm not sure it's Jack Crowley's pace that will come into the game, not that he can't control the game. Ross Byrne is a proven game-winner, very controlled, plays with most of those players in a similar system. I just can't see it not being Ross Byrne.
"I think Jack is the replacement if Johnny Sexton doesn't start a game. I think Ross Byrne is the starter [if Sexton is out] and I think Jack is the replacement, but I think for this one, away in Wales, with the pressure on, with Gatland back at the helm and everything they're going to throw at it, I just have a funny feeling it will be Ross Byrne."
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