Warren Gatland’s first lieutenant will break Ryan Jones’ record of 33 Wales appearances as captain when he leads his men out in the Six Nations showdown with Ireland on Saturday. The 26-year-old skipper has steered the Welsh ship to a Six Nations championship triumph in 2013, as well as a World Cup semi-final and has captained the British & Irish Lions to a series victory along the way.
“There are different ways of leading and each captain have got their own personal way of steering the ship. He is not the most vocal, he only speaks when he has got something to say. Some people they are given the captaincy and you can’t shut them up from the word go but you know that when Sam speaks whatever he says it’s relevant’” said McBryde.
“It comes with conviction and with the heart. The boys are used to that and they know there is room for them to grow as individuals under Sam’s captaincy and that’s another quality as well that you don’t try and control too much. He is not one to go for records and he will put that on the back burner. He just focuses on the game at hand.”
Ireland captain Paul O’Connell will reach his own personal milestone at the Millennium Stadium when he reaches his 100th cap. Joe Schmidt’s side are on for the Grand Slam, but Wales still harbour hope of upsetting the odds and lifting the Six Nations crown.
And McBryde is expecting a titanic clash. He said: “It is a big game. Ireland and Wales have been contesting arguably over the last few years in the Six Nations for a bit of silverware, so it’s always a big game. I don’t think it needs any more motivation than that, really.
“You have got arguably two of the better teams in the Six Nations, not being disrespectful to anybody else. On our day, In think both teams are capable of beating anybody.
“With regards to motivation, we look at our own situation, and we know a win would give us an opportunity to go for the championship. It is a double-edged sword that one. By doing that, we beat Ireland and stop them getting a Grand Slam, but it’s all about what we can achieve and gain, as opposed to anything else.”
