Andy Farrell impressed by captain Peter O’Mahony’s response to being dropped

Ireland boss Andy Farrell feels captain Peter O’Mahony has shown “proper leadership” in his response to being dropped for Saturday’s second Test against world champions South Africa.

Caelan Doris will skipper the tourists in Durban after O’Mahony was demoted to the bench as part of four personnel changes.

Lock James Ryan has been recalled in place of the veteran Munster flanker following last weekend’s 27-20 defeat in Pretoria, with Tadhg Beirne shifting from the second row to the number six position.

“You don’t expect those conversations to be easy and don’t get me wrong, he’s not accepting and he’s not happy obviously, but he does the right thing for the team,” Farrell told reporters, according to RTÉ.

“That’s at the forefront of his mind constantly, and that’s proper leadership. He understands that we want to have a look in this direction to see how it goes.

“He’s the captain of this tour and it shows the mark of the man how you lead after a bit of disappointment, how you carry on being yourself or not.”

Ireland must win at Kings Park Stadium to salvage a 1-1 series draw following a first defeat to the Springboks in eight years.

The reigning Six Nations champions have only once before been victorious on South African soil – a 26-20 success in Cape Town in 2016.

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Farrell insisted O’Mahony still has a big role to play, while talking up the talents of the recalled Ryan.

“He’s on the bench for a reason,” the head coach said of O’Mahony. “He makes people feel good, it’s right when he’s there with his presence and leading.

“What people are failing at this moment in time to talk about is that James Ryan has been a starter for us for years and years and been a real leader within our