Paul O'Connell of Young Munster was sent to join the national under-21 squad with an imprimatur from former international prop and current Munster's coach John "Paco" Fitzgerald: "This guy is going to be very good." Following a quiet first half in Banbury last Friday week, O'Connell confirmed his coach's words with a storming second half display.

Adapting to any level can be difficult but gradually O'Connell became more accustomed to the pace of the game and the sheer physical size and strength of the England pack. Despite the fact that Ireland lost the game 20-11, the young second row demonstrated enough to suggest he can claim a place in a production line of good young second rows.