O'Connell targets Six Nations success

Munster second row Paul O’Connell believes RBS 6 Nations glory is within Ireland’s grasp following their success in the autumn internationals.

The Irish defeated Argentina 21-19 in nailbiting fashion to complete a clean sweep of victories from their November Tests and will soon turn their attention to the Six Nations.

Eddie O’Sullivan’s men have finished second in the tournament for the past two seasons and with England and France both playing at Lansdowne Road next year, they have a great opportunity to go one better.

O’Connell, who captained the Triple Crown holders against France in February, said: “We have a good team which is playing well right now so this is our best chance to win the competition for a long time.

“Other teams are playing well though. Argentina and New Zealand beating France was probably the best thing to happen to the French. They will be gunning for it come Six Nations time, and England are starting to come back.

“We have a very good chance next year but it’s going to be unbelievably tough. However, we will be confident after going unbeaten in the autumn. There’s a good buzz in the camp and the fellas are looking forward to getting back into it.”

Against Argentina the Irish registered a victory that may well have been beyond them not so long ago, showing patience and tactical awareness to claw their way back from a 19-9 deficit with 30 minutes to go.

In terms of excitement it matched the thrilling 17-12 victory against South Africa in their series opener, with a packed Lansdowne Road crowd having to wait until the 82nd minute for Ronan O’Gara to land the decisive drop goal.

But O’Connell felt the performance against the Springboks was the best of the three internationals – and warned his side not to get carried away by the month’s heroics.

“We don’t want to get over-excited, but we’ve certainly come an awful long way over the last year – to beat South Africa two weeks ago was very good,” he said.

“We didn’t hit the heights last week against the United States and probably didn’t hit the heights on Saturday, but it was still a very professional performance and the type of game we may have lost in the past.

“The professionalism, grit, determination and control we showed to beat Argentina was right up there with the South Africa game. We were 19-9 down with 30 minutes to go and we just ground it out. It was a good result.”

Ireland edged the Pumas 16-15 during last year’s World Cup and the sides will lock horns once again in France 2007 – a match which O’Connell predicts will be another bruising 80 minutes.

“Argentina beat France in Marseille before we played them which was a fantastic achievement,” said the lock forward.

“(Wallaby coach) Eddie Jones described France as the best team in the world, so for Argentina to go there and beat them proves they are a fabulous side.

“They are getting stronger and stronger and will be very hard to beat at the next World Cup.”