The skipper.

Johnny Sexton has revealed he is not in the running to become the next Ireland captain when current skipper Rory Best eventually steps down from the role.

Best’s current contract ends following next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, with the Ulsterman expected to retire – at least from international duty following the tournament.

Sexton, who became Leinster captain this season, shared the Ireland captaincy with Peter O’Mahony during Ireland’s tour of Australia in June with Best absent. But it seems the Munster flanker is next in line to skipper the men in green.

“I don’t think the Irish captaincy is something that’s on the radar from my side of things – or the coaches side of things.” Sexton told TV3’s Sinéad Kissane

“I think they’ve got other guys in mind there and that’s fine by me. I’ll just crack on and be as good as I can be around the team and do things that I feel are best for the team.”

“You don’t need to be give the honour of captaincy to be a leader in the team.”

“Look I’ll leave that up to the other guys – like Rory (Best) and Pete (O’Mahony). They’re doing a great job and I’ll just row in behind them and help them where I can.”