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Peter O'Mahony was everywhere against Scotland

Peter O'Mahony was one of the best players on the pitch against Scotland, if not the best, says Gordon D'Arcy.



Former Ireland and Leinster centre Gordon D'Arcy joined Monday Night Rugby to discuss Peter O'Mahony.

Gordon D'Arcy knows a thing or two about winning a Grand Slam.

He was part of the team that won Ireland's second-ever Grand Slam in 2009. On Sunday, Ireland beat Scotland 22-7, setting themselves up to face England for another Grand Slam next Saturday. England will travel to Dublin for the 17:00 kickoff.

England are coming off a record defeat at home to France, so there's plenty of confidence that Ireland can win the game.

Sunday's performance came at a heavy cost. Garry Ringrose, Iain Henderson, Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan and Caelan Doris all left with injuries. Ringrose and Henderson will definitely miss the game against England. The remaining players face a race against time.

All of those injuries put Cian Healy and Josh van der Flier in the spotlight. They combined to cover for the hooker position and did so effectively enough for Ireland to win the game. Healy and van der Flier rightfully received huge plaudits for their performances.

But they overshadowed the play of Peter O'Mahony, says Gordon D'Arcy.

"A guy who was really, really good in this match was Peter O'Mahony," D'Arcy said.

"I actually spent the first 20 minutes watching Peter O'Mahony. And probably I've been guilty of it as well, you don't give him necessarily the praise that he [deserves]. Because you kind of go, 'What does he do?' You really have to look for what he does.

"Even from a lineout lift. He gets the extra inch to help James Ryan win a ball or just being a pain in the arse at rucks. To being that glue between two defenders that doesn't necessarily make a tackle, but he defends space.

"He was phenomenal in that game. And in that passage when Scotland [where on top] he was everywhere."

Because he doesn't carry the ball much or stand out in open field, O'Mahony's place is always questioned. But you can be certain that he will be in the starting lineup for Ireland next weekend.

Jack Conan has done nothing wrong.

 

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