HEADTOHEAD: The Secondrows

Rugby analyst Matt Williams looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the two main lineout jumpers

MALCOLM O'KELLY vs PAUL O'CONNELL

LINEOUT ABILITY: Two Colossuses but in contrasting fashion with O'Connell all elbows and knees while O'Kelly is fast, dynamic and spring-heeled. Both read the opposition well and take great pride on their lineout performance. They are leaders for their respective lineouts and on the opposition throw they will be calling the shots. A battle for the technically minded to rejoice in and one, knowing the players in question, that they will be loathe to lose.

LEADERSHIP: O'Connell is the talker, the inspiration, the motivator and the tactician. His team look to him for inspiration. This sometimes sees him overplay his hand as on the Lions tour of NZ, but at Munster level he is without peer. O'Kelly is a true leader by example. A workaholic on the field with the mind that had earned two masters degrees, he is publicly relaxed but rugbywise he is cutting edge. A quiet word is sometimes more effective than a loud one and example is the best form of leadership. Malcolm will match Paul in this area.

WORK-RATE: Both world class. Two dynamic locks who play like open sides.

They are tough, competitive, technically excellent at the tackle. They take on huge work loads during the game in terms of ball carrying, O'Connell with his powerful driving style while O'Kelly is more loose limbed but no less effective. They both tend to take on a great deal of ball often within the same phase of play, pooping up on two or three occasions. Not a cigarette paper between them.

ATHLETICISM: O'Kelly has the edge in pure terms but only because he is so freakishly brilliant. O'Connell is still a player that comes along once in a generation. His appetite and work ethic are voracious. They are so different and complement each other for Ireland. For Leinster and Munster they would love to get the upper hand over each other.

IMPACT: What a battle. Two all-time great players yet totally different with O'Connell the hard Munster abrasive Lion, the other the laid back double Masters degree, Marlboro-smoking gentleman. O'Kelly is an athletically gifted genius while O'Connell is a perfect example of the modern day second row.