JAMES RYAN will captain the Irish team this weekend against Argentina in the penultimate Autumn Nations Series test. While Ryan will take Johnny Sexton's place as captain against Los Pumas, he says he has no intention of trying to copy his Leinster teammates captaincy style.
Sexton will miss up six weeks after injuring himself against the All Blacks win, where Ireland won 29-20 last weekend
šš š
James Ryan will captain Ireland against Argentina on Sunday in the absence of Johnny Sexton. š¢#TeamOfUs | #IREvARG pic.twitter.com/dRusL18f8Lā Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 17, 2021
Ryan and Ireland play an Argentina side, who have never beaten the hosts at the Aviva.Ā
Ryan has previously said he admired the fly-half's captaincy style and said you really know when he plays and doesn't.Ā
He also made reference to the Leinster man's standards he sets for his rugby team-mates.
(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Ryan told RTĆ Sport:
"I suppose how we make it up is everyone else on the team stepping up a little bit.
"Thatās why today and tomorrow are very important sessions for us. Itās not even down to us [the leadership group], itās up to everyone to drive the standards, drive the energy.
"We shouldnāt be relying on Johnny, itās an Ireland game this week, at home at the Aviva.
"Hopefully weāll have a big crowd in. Thereās going to be an opportunity as well for other guys coming in.
"When heās in itās absolutely brilliant, but when heās not there as well everyoneās got to step up and weāve got to find our own voices.
"We canāt just be relying on him either, any opportunity you get to play for Ireland, you shouldnāt need extra motivation.
"Iām not too interested in giving a lad a bollocking or whatever else.
"Iām captain this week, but to be honest it doesnāt change a whole lot for me. I just want to get my own performance right. I think thatās the best way for me to lead.
"There are plenty of guys there that can drive those things on that side."
Ryan was first made captain for last Novemberās game against England and said it does take getting used too.Ā
Ryan, will make hisĀ third captains appearance in three weeks next Sunday (2.15pm, live on RTĆ) and win his 40th cap.
Ireland 29 - 20 New Zealand.
Warren Gatland didn't think James Ryan could play against the biggest and best second rows in the world. Someone should ask the New Zealand second rows about that.
It's the player ratings.@VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs
https://t.co/kcVFoedWwiā Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 13, 2021
