Twickenham is perfect place to forge reputation

THERE can be no finer or more intimidating arena to parade one’s talents than the hallowed Twickenham pitch.

And it's there on Saturday that Paul O'Connell hopes to win over the few remaining doubters that he is one of the great second-row forwards of the modern era; a fitting heir to other famous Irish forwards like Willie John McBride, Moss Keane and Donal Lenihan, and one fit to carry the mantle of Northern Hemisphere rugby recently discarded by Martin Johnson.

It is, of course, the absence of Johnson, among others, that prompts the more optimistic Irish followers to believe the world champions can be turned over on their own turf.

And it's when asked to compare himself with Johnson that O'Connell, an upbeat and positive individual, runs for cover. He knows what Johnson has achieved but, then, he was 33 when leading England to the World Cup. O'Connell is only 24 and knows that in spite of his amazing work-rate, line-out prowess, ball carrying expertise and open field bursts, there's a very difficult road ahead before he can reach Johnson's level. Not that he shirks the question:

"Watching him over the past few years, he was the standard bearer when it came to second-row play," said Paul. "I wouldn't compare myself to Johnson. I have a long way to go before I get anywhere near him. He was always playing on the edge, highly aggressive, great tackler, a good ball carrier. Now he's gone and Shaw and Grewcock aren't available either and they can still bring in someone of Stephen Borthwick's quality. That just goes to show their strength in depth.

"They're going to be weaker without Johnson but when you step into the team, you want to prove yourself. I played against Borthwick at U21s and he's a real pro. Even though he's still quite young, he's been playing senior rugby with Bath for a good few years. He's an excellent line-out operator and he's probably lucky to get his chance with Shaw and Grewcock both out, so he's going to be really hungry for it.

"He'll have an edge there like everyone has when they get into a team for the first time. Sometimes the guy who's getting a lot of caps doesn't play on the edge whereas the fella coming in always does."

O'Connell then switches to the relative riches Ireland currently enjoy in the second-row. Injury forces Donncha O'Callaghan out for this week but in steps Malcolm O'Kelly.

Realistic as ever, Paul notes: "They're two excellent players. It's brilliant that there's such competition there now. I don't mind who I play with as long as I'm getting picked and the lads are saying the same. We're pushing each other all the time. Donncha is probably going to be back in a week or two and that puts pressure on Mal and myself to perform."

And that, of course, will be a mighty task against powerful opposition playing on their home ground where they haven't lost since 1999.

"It's their first time playing a proper Test match there since winning the World Cup so they'll be up for it. For us to beat England, we have to be absolutely on top of our game. That's what happened when the boys beat them at Lansdowne Road two years ago and that's what we're going to need. To get stuck into them up front and hopefully the backs and Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll can continue their good form."

Self belief will be all-important and there's not a whole lot of point in heeding remarks like "all the pressure is on us whereas they have nothing to lose," attributed to Clive Woodward. Giving it a lash is all very fine but O'Connell recognises as much as anybody else that a lot more will be required to knock the world champions. He uses results in the Heineken Cup as reasons why the Irish camp believes they can confound the pundits.

"We're used to beating these guys in Europe, in the pool stages and the knock-out rounds," he pointed out.

"To be fair, when they pull on the white shirt, they are able to take it on to another level. Now, we need to do the same. The England set-up is very competitive. Sometimes they don't bring their England form to their clubs but it's different when they wear the white jersey."

Asked if he had played against England before, he quipped: "I came on against them last year with about twenty minutes to go. At the time, it was fairly tight. By the time it was over, it was 42-6 against us so you could say I turned the game."

As for the Twickenham factor?

"I'm looking forward to it to see how I react. I'm sure it's an intimidating place to play. They have built it into a real fortress. It's one of the best grounds in rugby and if we can get a win there, we'll be pretty popular. It's a great chance to make history."