Rookie Ireland flanker Jonny O'Connor has warned the Springboks he is firing on all cylinders and insists that last season's injury heartache has helped him strengthen his game.
O'Connor is set to make his international debut for Ireland against South Africa at Lansdowne Road and is ready to grasp the chance with both hands after missing much of last season through injury.
An achilles injury suffered last February saw the Wasps' player miss the run-in to his side's double-winning season.
However, he insists he is mentally stronger after that injury and said: "The injury was a big blow but these things happen in professional sport. It's something you have to get over and the experience makes you a stronger person."
" The injury was a big blow but these things happen in professional sport. It's something you have to get over and the experience makes you a stronger person."
Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll back O'Connor's inclusion in the team and is hoping that his presence will help out-manoeuvre the Tri-Nations champions.
" The South African game is all about power because they have some big, physical guys. You must match them for strength, which isn't always easy to do, particularly in Ireland's circumstances because we have a smaller pack," he said.
"But what we might lack in size we hope to make up for by moving them around and that is what you have to do - create the conditions which will suit you. Hopefully we might see a nice expansive game, particularly with Jonny O'Connor coming in."
