Shanklin warning O’Driscoll might get a wake-up call

Mar 7 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

TOM Shanklin has today warned his teammates Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll is a sleeping giant threatening to wake up against Wales at Croke Park tomorrow.

O’Driscoll has had a quiet Six Nations tournament so far with Wales coach Warren Gatland this week admitting he might have even lost a yard of pace.

But like his new national coach, Shanklin still believes the Lions centre is a potential match-winner and points to the way O’Driscoll has tormented Wales in the past.

“Brian has been a little bit quiet but we all know what a world-class player he is and we will have to be wary of him,” said the Cardiff Blues centre.

“I wouldn’t say O'Driscoll’s been off form, just perhaps a little quieter than usual.

“But we know what he can do and what he has done against us before.

“I definitely relish the opportunity of coming up against him.

“As a player you want to play against the best to see where you are and how good you are.”

O’Driscoll will be partnered in the Irish midfield by Ulsterman Andrew Trimble, who has performed impressively after replacing the injured Gordon D’Arcy.

“He has been very good for them,” added Shanklin, who will win his 51st cap against the Irish.

“Every time he has had the ball he has made yards and to be keeping the likes of Shane Horgan out, he must be playing well.

“The Irish backs as a whole are a great unit and they will be the most dangerous combination we have come up against.

“They will also have looked at the Italy game where we were easily broken from a lineout and looking to exploit that.

“Ireland were good in parts against Scotland and they were pretty convincing towards the end.

“I don’t think they have been firing on all cylinders yet and there is more to come from them so we have to watch them.

“We all know how Ireland can play if we let them so we have to be wary.”

And Shanklin has identified Ronan O’Gara as the man who pulls the Irish strings and warned Wales will particularly have to be wary of the cross kick from the Munster pivot.

This will be especially evident with the late inclusion of 6ft 4in wing Horgan having an eight-inch height advantage over opposite number Shane Williams.

“O’Gara is the one Irish player who calls the shots,” added the 28-year-old.

“His kicking game is brilliant and he gets their back line going. They also work on the cross field kick and we have to be careful of that tactic.”

So it will be a tough afternoon for Shanklin and his centre partner Gavin Henson who have rekindled their 2005 Grand Slam partnership.

The Blues back believes there is more to come from himself in this competition but believes Henson is back to his best.

“I feel I have still been a little bit quiet but I don’t think I made any real mistakes against Italy and hopefully I can keep improving my performances,” added Shanklin.

“And Gavin’s not been getting the headlines but has just been getting on with the job brilliantly.

“He’s been playing his role in the team and has had some lovely touches.”

gareth.griffiths@mediawales.co.uk