ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Mar 17, 2021

Peter O’Mahony returns from ban but vows not to change his approach

Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony has no intention of changing his physical approach on his return from a three-game ban, saying it would be “unjust to the jersey”.

ADVERTISEMENT

O’Mahony is back in contention for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations finale against England after missing most of the tournament through suspension following his costly early dismissal in the opening-weekend defeat to Wales.

The 31-year-old acknowledges his reckless shoulder-led hit to the head of Welsh prop Tomas Francis was “100 per cent wrong”, putting it down to an out-of-character mistake.

Yet he stopped short of saying he feels under pressure to make amends for the infringement and feels he retains the full support of team-mates ahead of the meeting with Eddie Jones’ men.

“Look, when it comes to the breakdown and when it comes to international rugby, you’ve got to be incredibly urgent, you’ve got to be incredibly accurate and you’ve got to bring physicality, and these incidents happen,” said O’Mahony.

“It’s a very physical game. I’ve always played hard. I’ve always played fairly, in my opinion. I 100 per cent was wrong in what happened in the incident but the guys know better than anyone, my team-mates know that I was acting on the best intent for the team that day and, unfortunately, that’s what happened.

“I don’t think they will be looking for me to put in any different performance than I give any other week when I play for Ireland, that would be unjust to the jersey. I go out every time to play as best I can and I think the lads around me know that.”

WATCH: O’Mahony red in Cardiff sparks anger among Six Nations fans

O’Mahony has had plenty of time to stew on his indiscretion, which left Ireland a man light for 66 minutes of the 21-16 loss at the Millennium Stadium on February 7.

ADVERTISEMENT

He has subsequently spent six weeks on the sidelines and watched on helplessly as his country’s title hopes were swiftly extinguished by a round-two defeat to France.

Ireland go into the England game seeking to cement second spot in the standings after bouncing back from their worst start to a Six Nations campaign with away wins over Italy and Scotland.

Munster back-row O’Mahony is eager to be restored to Andy Farrell’s starting XV following the frustration of his enforced absence.

“It’s been hard. It’s different when you’re injured, you’re on a different buzz,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But when you’re fit and healthy and ready to go and raring to go and you can’t, it makes it a little bit tougher. I spent a couple of great weeks with Munster and (I was) back in here last week to prepare the lads as best as possible, which I certainly enjoyed. But I’m not going to make any bones about it, I am looking forward to getting back playing.”

Ireland’s build-up has been dominated by the shock news of CJ Stander’s impending retirement.

With crowds still absent due to coronavirus restrictions, O’Mahony expressed regret that his provincial team-mate will not receive a send-off from supporters before returning to his native South Africa in the summer.

“It’s really unfortunate. I know his team-mates would like to play well for him and give him a good send-off and that will be the most important to him,” said O’Mahony.

“But I am sure there are lots of people around the country who would love to show their respect for what he’s done for Irish rugby and Munster rugby. That’s unfortunate but we will certainly do our very best to send him off on hopefully winning ways.”

Related Articles

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 62 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Incredible spreadsheet shows exactly how Scotland can progress to the quarter finals

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Makazole Mapimpi out of World Cup as world class centre drafted back in

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Raw power and camaraderie displayed as South Africa and Tonga came together in incredible match

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Springbok players pay tribute to incredible fans that support them around the world

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Springbok’s reign as world champions in peril as Dupont returns

View All