I’m not untouchable, warns skipper O’Connell
O’Connell insists that Alun-Wyn Jones’ performance in the 76-10 demolition of The Golden Lions on Wednesday night served to remind him that he cannot afford to take his place in the starting XV for granted.
“I don’t see myself as untouchable at all,” he said.
“Alun-Wyn played fantastically well against The Golden Lions. The lineout went extremely well and he carried a lot of ball around the field. He offered great support and made a load of tackles, as he always does.
“And it’s great to have such competition for places. I’ve seen that from my time with Ireland and Munster that when there is great competition for places, standards are raised, and that’s what we want over here.”
O’Connell revealed another of his provincial colleagues, his long-time second-row partner Donncha O’Callaghan, is also desperate for game time having been overlooked for the opening two games.
“He’s dying to go, really champing at the bit,” the Lions skipper said.
“But I suppose this is where the experience of our management team comes into play: keeping a few lads in check for a couple of games before letting them loose.
“So, hopefully when they get their first starts it will give the team a freshness and real momentum because they’ll have a point to prove.”
And the Munster giant admitted that Keith Earls has been using humour to aid his recovery from the mental and physical knocks sustained in Saturday’s Tour opener in Rustenburg.
The 21-year-old Earls, one of the surprise inclusions in Ian McGeechan’s touring party, failed to sparkle against the Royal XV and sustained a shoulder injury which ruled him out of Wednesday’s mauling of The Golden Lions in Johannesburg.
One might have expected the young centre to be feeling sorry for himself but O’Connell said the Limerick youngster has taken a different approach as he bids to return to form.
“Keith’s fine. He’s been slagging himself more than anyone else about Saturday!
“So he’s okay about it all and is just raring to get back out there.”
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