31 Dec 2011

O'Connell to captain Ireland in Six Nations

8:31 am on 31 December 2011

Lock forward Paul O'Connell will captain the Ireland rugby side in the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

O'Connell will deputise for centre Brian O'Driscoll who misses the tournament due to a shoulder injury.

O'Connell has experience of captaining his country and led the 2009 British and Irish Lions in South Africa.

Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign at home to Wales on Febuary 5, a repeat of this year's World Cup quarter-final in Wellington which the Welsh won 22-10.