RBS SIX NATIONS: England v Ireland
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010 Kick-off: 1600 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel, Red Button and online; listen on Radio 5 live and Radio Ulster MW; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
 Donncha O'Callaghan replaces Leo Cullen for the Twickenham tussle |
Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan has heaped praise on England captain Steve Borthwick ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham. Borthwick's leadership has come in for some criticism this season but O'Callaghan says he has a lot of admiration for the English skipper. "Steve is an incredible line-out operator," said O'Callaghan. "He's probably the benchmark on line-outs in terms of contesting and on your own throw. He sets the standard." Despite England's laboured display in the 17-12 win over Italy, O'Callaghan is expecting to face a fired-up England at Twickenham. "They're not one dimensional at all, just look at the quality of the broken-field runners they have," added O'Callaghan. "They've been getting an awful time unfairly. "They have quality players who probably haven't clicked as they would have liked, but when they do they can rip someone apart." Ireland may have won five of their last six meetings against the English but O'Callaghan insists that a victory over the men in white continues to be prized. "We can play England at any sport and everyone watching will want us to beat them. Rugby's no different," he said. "Granted we might know a few of them, but it's still England and a massive game."  | 606: DEBATE |
O'Callaghan's fifth appearance against England - he has won three out of four to date - will come after spending a month on the sidelines with a medial ligament injury. Leo Cullen performed impressively against Italy and France but Declan Kidney has plumped for the abrasive Munster man and O'Callaghan believes he is ready for the contest. "I've had an incredible three weeks of training," he said. "I've been through a mini pre-season and have been flailed. It was three weeks of unbelievable conditioning, but then that's not match hardness. "It's a trade off between being fresh, fit and match hardened. But if there's any game you can mentally put yourself to the wheel for then England is definitely it. "It's been a frustrating time. I was taking every type of herb to speed up the recovery, if I'd read about something then throw it in!" O'Callaghan's build-up to the Twickenham tussle included a week of warm-weather training with his Munster colleagues in Lanzarote. "I was boxing at 7am in the morning and swimming at 7pm in the evening. "I'm no boxer and no swimmer so I'm glad to be back playing rugby."
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