Peter O'Mahony backed to take over Ireland captaincy from Johnny Sexton

Sexton bid farewell to the international game following the bitter disappointment of being knocked out in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the eighth consecutive tournament.

The experienced flyhalf leaves a void in head coach Andy Farrell's setup Ireland setup, but Leamy believes that Mahony - who reached the 100-cap mark at the RWC - is the perfect replacement.

"He's respected universally among the Irish players," Leamy, the current Munster defence coach, told Sky Sports.

"I know that for a fact having worked with the Leinster players and the esteem they hold him in, which is a great thing to see at first hand," Leamy said of O'Mahony.

"I'm sure right throughout the provinces, in Connacht and Ulster, that would be the same.

"I suppose he's achieved so much in the game, he brings that edge and standard-setting that's so important as a captain.

"And yeah, if Ireland were to go down that road he's obviously been a Lions Test captain as well, there's a huge amount of pedigree there."

Admittedly, Farrell is spoiled for choice in terms other options to take over the captaincy include. Locks James Ryan and Iain Henderson have led Ireland before, as has centre Gary Ringrose.

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