InterviewJohnny Watterson talks to the Irish lock who believes there is a big performance in the current team

Paul O'Connell glances around the mix of critics and admirers and coughs out the thought that had been sitting uncomfortably in his head since the end of Ireland's match against Italy last Saturday. He does it with a hint of embarrassment. "The slagging was that I was picked out of a hat because they couldn't pick anyone else," he says.

As self-effacement goes it tops most from a player who has just won the man of the match award in the first Six Nations match of the championship. O'Connell, as most people might infer from his abrasive and committed game, is not receptive to flattery.

To reject the accolade because the team performed "miles away" from the way it hoped to, illustrates how O'Connell cuts to the point. Regardless of his personal input, if the team fails to reach the mark set, everyone has failed. O'Connell's rare position is that so often he, personally, does not.

"It's something that's nice but isn't important in the bigger picture. I couldn't care less. I couldn't care what fashion you win games. I think you do what you have to do to win. That's always what we try to do We're not going out there saying this is the way we have to play. You figure out what's best and you do it on the day."

In France that will surely hold as O'Connell will likely meet one of the game's great players in Fabien Pelous. The relationship generates more admiration than fear despite Pelous's tough reputation. The French captain was suspended for nine weeks after elbowing Australia hooker Brendan Cannon in Marseille last year. Pelous was previously suspended during the 1999 World Cup for stamping on Fiji captain Greg Smith in a group game.

"He's massively important," says the Irish lock. "He's a super-fit guy. For such a tall guy he's a fabulous tackler, obviously an inspiration. I think he has well over 100 caps and to get 100 caps in a country with so much depth and talent is a wonderful achievement. He's their natural leader, their spiritual leader. He means a lot for them.

"For me he'd be the best in the world because of his tackling. I remember the year Ireland won over there. I remember Keith Wood, who was an excellent ball carrier, quick-tapping a penalty and running straight at him from about 10 yards. Pelous picked him up and dumped him. For such a tall man it's not an easy thing to do.

"That's a part of his game I've always admired so much. I don't think he has a reputation. I think he made a mistake against Brendan Cannon from Australia. But apart from that he's a tough hard physical player but not a dirty one."

The performance against Italy has generated more frustration than despondency with the players. Despite doom and gloom being pumped out by the media, the team share a more balanced view of where they are and are slightly more upbeat than those on the outside. Around the team hotel this week players acknowledged the first game was flat but they are more inclined to dwell on the quality of material and its potential to harm other sides. O'Connell is no different.

"Unfortunately we were miles off where we needed to be last week. On the other hand we all know inside there is a big performances in the team and when you look at the talent we have in the team in the back line and forwards, there is a big performance there somewhere," he says. "We just have to pull it out. Then hopefully we can kick on. Last year was a tough year. Winning in Paris is what you want to do. It's not very often that Ireland do it."

The reality is Ireland will be more critically measured after playing Wales in the third match. Public expectations going to Paris are invariably low and this year is no different. But, he added: "I think the team that's playing this weekend is stronger than the team that won in Paris before four or five years ago. There is no reason we cannot do it again. Hopefully we'll be able to take another step up this week."