Taoiseach Enda Kenny has paid tribute to Paul O'Connell ahead of the Irish captain winning his 100th cap against Wales on Saturday. Mr Kenny also urged the Irish team to "go get 'em" in the latest match in their Grand Slam crusade.

Mr Kenny said that he recently met O'Connell in Limerick.

“When you see him in a suit and tie, he is a striking figure of a man, never mind a fearsome sight on the rugby pitch,” he said.

The Irish love the Welsh, he said, but on match day "they are our mortal enemies on the way to taking out Scotland for the Grand Slam."

Praising the "brilliant" Welsh rugby tradition and history, Mr Kenny said that Irish coach Joe Schmidt and his Welsh counterpart Warren Gatland couldn't settle it in the stands.

“It has got to be settled on the pitch, and I am for O’Connell and his men, much as I love the Welsh,” he said.

The Taoiseach said that there might be a chance in his busy schedule on his St Patrick’s Day trip to watch the game, though he had left instructions at home that the match be recorded.

Ireland have beaten France, England and Italy so far in the Six Nations campaign and victory over Wales and Scotland would mean a second Grand Slam since 2009 and back to back championship wins.

Asked whether he would go to Murrayfield if the Scottish game was the Grand Slam decider, he said: “You can never predict what is actually going to be an outcome.”

He made a direct plea to O’Connell about Saturday’s game, saying: “Paul, if you are listening, you don’t have to say anything in the dressing room - they know, and I hope the Welsh find out,” he said.