Head-to-head: O'Connell v Kruis

England lock George Kruis insists it would be a dream come true to face Paul O'Connell on Sunday in a crunch Six Nations clash in Dublin.

Six years ago a 19-year-old Kruis travelled to South Africa with a group of friends from Dorking Rugby Club to take in the British & Irish Lions tour.

And O'Connell caught Kruis' eye, the Irish veteran going into battle in all three Tests against the Springboks.

Fast forward to the present day and Kruis, now 25, is fast becoming an England mainstay, having started both of the Red Rose's 2015 Six Nations matches so far.

A decade and 99 caps separate the pair, but Kruis admits he would relish facing O'Connell on Sunday, should both forwards be chosen to start the Dublin clash.

"I went to a few games when the Lions were in South Africa and watched Paul O'Connell," Kruis said.

"Playing him was a very distant dream then. I was just joining Saracens and was rather underweight and not the best rugby player.

"I have a huge amount of respect for Paul. At Saracens we have played Munster quite a few times in the pool stages of the European Cup.

"It's nice to play a guy three or four times, get an understanding of where he is from.

"He is a clear talisman for Irish rugby and internationally he is a huge figure. I try and pride myself on the line-out and he's definitely a leader in that department."

Source: @rbs_6_nations