O'Connell to pay attention to detail

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The Lions are expected to secure a third successive South Africa tour triumph by beating Super 14 strugglers the Cheetahs at Vodacom Park.

A 74-10 victory over the Golden Lions two days ago served notice of what O'Connell and company could achieve during the next month, but captain O'Connell is determined to keep a sense of perspective, saying: "What happened on Wednesday night will be great for the tour. We did the simple things very well, and the off-loads came because of that. It gives the tour a bit of momentum and maybe makes people sit up and take notice."

He added: "One of the first things (assistant coach) Shaun Edwards said on Thursday morning was that we don't go out and try to play razzle-dazzle rugby or anything like that.

"A lot of what happened on Wednesday was from doing the simple things well. The off-loads came from quick ball, and that is what we have got to do on Saturday, first and foremost.

"It is about keeping our composure and making sure we play to win first. Whatever happens after that, happens."

O'Connell looks set to be joined in the Lions starting line-up by his Munster second-row partner Donncha O'Callaghan, while other first-time tour starters could include Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny, Ireland back Luke Fitzgerald and his fellow Grand Slam winner Gordon D'Arcy.

D'Arcy, who was in North America when he received a call to join the Lions as midfield injury cover earlier this week, might feature in the number 12 shirt, especially as knee injury victim Riki Flutey remains unavailable.

O'Connell added: "It's great to have such competition for places.

"I've seen that with Ireland and Munster - when there is competition for places, the general standard of what everyone is doing is raised."