THE Irish out-half's career has been shaped by an encounter with Wilkinson.

On the Lions tour of 2001 to Australia, Ronan O'Gara watched in awe as the Englishman worked his socks off to perfect his kicking game. And when he got back home with a bruised face for company, he began to put as much effort into his goal-kicking as Wilkinson. The effort has reaped its reward. O'Gara's goal kicking is now up around the 85 per cent mark, an improvement of between 10-15 per cent on his pre-2001 form. And not just that.

While Wilkinson could also run with the ball and tackle well, O'Gara has added those components to his game over the past 18 months. The Munster man has also added a mature decision-making capability to his repertoire as of late. If the Lions were going on tour this summer, both players would be vying to start the tests in the number 10shirt. And O'Gara's form of the past year would probably have him marginally in front of the player he admires so greatly.

Jonny Wilkinson's 27-point haul against Scotland in his first England appearance for three and a bit years had the English newspapers proclaiming Brian Ashton's side were World Cup contenders once again. It was a reaction way over the top but just goes to show what kind of an inspirational influence this injuryplagued out-half has on the rest of his teammates. Even though his place kicking has been its usual reliable self since his return, his footballing brain isn't yet in full operational mode. But that will come. His presence on the field on Saturday almost guarantees his side a 15-point tally from the off and that kind of cushion must give a team great confidence heading into a tricky away fixture. What Ireland should do on Saturday is run directly at the out-half when the opportunity arises. A player noted for his fearless tackling ability before his awful sequence of injuries, Wilkinson hasn't yet been tested defensively since his return. It's Ireland's job to do exactly that.