This weekend there is a bit of symmetry for Ireland captain Paul O'Connell as he leads the team out against Wales in Cardiff.
The 35-year-old wins his 100th international cap, 13 years on from when he made his debut against the same opposition
Mick Galwey was his second row partner that day when Ireland won 54-10 and recalled the impact O'Connell made (he would score a try), as he joined Off The Ball for a live rugby special at Wexford Wanderers Rugby Club.
"There was a young Paul O'Connell who had burst onto the scene," said Galwey.
"He took to it straight away. He probably didn't realise the step up was so big because [Wales] had that great Craig Quinnell, who was a 22-stone second row. He decided that he was going to take him down in the first few minutes and Craig Quinnell being the old wise fella he was, dropped the elbow into him as Paul was about to tackle him and Paul got concussed. Yet he played a fantastic game for a half an hour after it. He scored a great try that he didn't remember and eventually he had to go off."
Galwey also recalled how O'Connell could not remember the line-out calls and mixed up the time with the score on the board.
Reggie Corrigan was also on stage in Wexford and spoke about the future for another Ireland veteran - one who is on the periphery at present.
"I think it's very hard on Gordon D'Arcy because, I'll be honest with you, I don't think Leinster are playing very well and I think that is having a big effect on his international stance and where he stands," he said.
Along with The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley, Corrigan and Galwey then previewed the Six Nations clash against Wales, with Corrigan saying that Ireland's centre pairing face their most potent challenge yet, while Gerry ran the rule over Wales and how referee Wayne Barnes could affect things.
Galwey also feels that what gives an Ireland an edge is that we are a "smarter team".
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