SIX NATION CHAMPIONSHIP: John O'Sullivan finds Gary Longwell eager to emerge from Mick Galwey's shadow and to make the number four jersey his own

Saturday will be special. Gary Longwell should already have enjoyed the experience of starting a Six Nations Championship game. Last autumn he was named in the Ireland team to play Wales at the Millennium Stadium. On the same day he broke a finger in a squad session. Medical opinion did not support his desire to play.

"It was a massive disappointment, I was crushed. I drove home to Ballymena on the Tuesday night and people were still phoning me to congratulate me on making the team."

Longwell was due to make his debut - he first donned the green jersey when coming on as a replacement for his friend Paddy Johns against Japan in 2000 - but he knew his misfortune could drop him down the pecking order.

So it transpired as Ireland beat Wales convincingly and then rained on England's Grand Slam parade at Lansdowne Road. "It's funny, you're sitting there desperately hoping for Ireland to win and at the same time thinking, 'what if I had played?' You just look for the next opportunity."

The 30-year-old Ballymena and Ulster second row started against Samoa and subsequently came on as a replacement in Ireland's last four matches, against New Zealand, Wales, England and Scotland, respectively. He was unlucky not to have started a couple as his performances upon introduction were excellent.

Saturday is his opportunity, when the Italians come to Lansdowne Road. Mick Galwey's talismanic qualities make the number four jersey difficult to fill, although at 6ft 7½ins and 18½ stone, Longwell has no physical shortcomings.

He must emerge from the shadow Galwey casts, a fact he acknowledges. "I have taken over from a legend in Mick Galwey and that creates its own pressure. I have to justify the faith the coaches have in me. It's up to me, I am the man in possession."

Trashing the Ireland lineout and coursing perceived culprits in print has guaranteed the spotlight will be resolutely trained on this aspect of Ireland's performance at the weekend. Longwell is aware of his responsibility, accepts that coach Eddie O'Sullivan recognises the Ulsterman as his first-choice number-two jumper, and that he must deliver along with his team-mates up front.

It offers Longwell the opportunity to renew a playing friendship with hooker Shane Byrne that dates back to his days on the Ireland under-21s. It also serves as a reminder of how long it has taken him to reach his current pre-eminence. "Whenever we bumped into each other at club or provincial level Shane and I would talk about the national team.

"We were in danger of turning into two very bitter guys," he laughs. "It just shows you should never give up. I know guys who are 28 and 29 and they have given up hope of going further. What Shane and I both show is that you should never throw in the towel.

"I was very lucky in the early days in one respect and that was in getting a chance. Willie Anderson had just retired and Davy Tweed had been injured in a car crash. I remember the (Ulster) coach (Davy Haslett) saying: 'we're going to have to pick Gary Longwell.' I came in before I was ready."

Longwell's career has seen him represent Ireland at under-21, Students and Ireland A levels: on Saturday he will win his 11th cap. Despite this extensive playing CV he admits to being extremely nervous before games. He smiled: "I'll be spending more and more time in the toilet as the week goes on. I'd get nervous before Ballymena matches. I suppose if I didn't feel this way then I'd start to worry something was wrong."

Judging by his cameos in this season's Six Nations Longwell has little to fear.