Taylor ready for O’Driscoll

All the talk is about the head to head between Neil Jenkins and Ronan O’Gara.

But Mark Taylor would like to think that there will be discussion about his duel with Brian O’Driscoll after Saturday’s Six Nations clash between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff.

Taylor is by far the more experienced of the two, with 28 International caps to his credit.

He has scored almost as many tries as the young upstart from Ireland.

Yet O’Driscoll is the one everyone says will be first choice outside centre for the Lions when they tour Australia this summer.

Taylor is not in mood to disagree that the young Irishman is, in fact, in pole position as far as the Lions are concerned.

But all that talk is enough to make the 28 year old drool at the prospect of taking the Irishman on.

Taylor scored his eighth try for Wales in the draw at Murrayfield two weeks ago and has been scoring tries regularly for Swansea this season.

"I suppose I am always one to relish a challenge.

"Brian is a top notch player. There is no doubt about that.

"He proved it last season and again this year when it is more difficult because opponents get to know you more and tend to keep a tighter watch on you.

"I was impressed with his performance for the Barbarians against South Africa and again for Ireland against France.

"“But people don’t always get space in international games and our aim will be to keep him under wraps as best we can. I want to go out there and prove I can defend as well as attack.

"If Brian is the best centre in the world, and I think he probably is, I want to see how I get on against him. It is always best to try to measure yourself against the best."

Most of Wales believe Ireland to be favourites to win this game, based on their recent record in Cardiff and on current form.

Taylor subscribes to that view. "The view of where the two teams are is not a question of playing mind games. I think the facts speak for themselves. We have lost one and drawn one while Ireland have won twice. Though it has been against different opposition I reckon they have been more impressive. Still, I wouldn’t allow anyone write us off. For long periods of the game in Edinburgh we had the win there for the taking. We blew it, that’s being honest, and I don’t believe we will do that again if we get into a similar situation on Saturday. There is a lot of pressure on us but a lot of pride there as well."

One of the worries he does have, however, is the fact that English supporters made as much, if not more, noise at the recent game between the countries at the Millennium Stadium. "That was a bit disappointing although, I suspect, predictable given the way the game went. England are a very good side. They shocked us a bit by beating us by so much but they are a very good side. We have a bit of a way to go to catch up on them.

"I think the atmosphere on Saturday will be a bit better. Irish and Welsh supporters mix a lot better than English and Welsh.

"Between the two lots there will be a bit of passion there, one crowd sparking off reactions from the other. I suppose, in a sense it will be nice to get back a bit to the grass roots because there are probably too many corporate hospitality fans attending matches these days.

"There is room for that type of supporter but the Wales Ireland game will probably attract more of the genuine fans which will be great to see and to experience. There will be lots of colour and lots of fun on this occasion and that’s what makes international occasions such as this. The game will be tough but for occasions such as this to be a success then the fun must never go out of it."