Brian O'Driscoll hopes to celebrate his 50th cap as Ireland captain by ruining New Zealand's grand slam ambitions at Croke Park this afternoon.

"Our record against the All Blacks speaks for itself," the Irish centre told reporters this week. "They're the only international team I've never beaten, whether that's for Ireland or the (British and Irish) Lions."

O'Driscoll is in good company. Ireland have not defeated the All Blacks in 21 fixtures stretching back to 1905 with only a draw in 1973 spoiling New Zealand's perfect win record.

New Zealand, seeking their third grand slam of victories over the four home nations, defeated Scotland 32-6 last Saturday with a reserve team.

Today they will field their strongest team, a tribute to the respect O'Driscoll and his team-mates have won over recent seasons despite a disappointing World Cup last year.

"It's the best team we can put on the track for this particular game," New Zealand coach Graham Henry said.

"There is a lot of experience. There are well over 600 caps there and most of these guys have played together in the Tri-Nations."

New Zealand backs' coach Wayne Smith said O'Driscoll represented the main threat to his side.

"He's noted as the best centre in the world and he's that for a reason," Smith said. "He's as much a brute in attack as he is on defence and that's unusual. He's very strong in defence as a player over the ball in the tackle. O'Driscoll is a good player so you have to talk about him and be able to deal with him."

This afternoon, France play the Pacific Islanders, England meet Australia and Scotland take on world champions South Africa.

England have recalled Phil Vickery, the only survivor from the side who beat the Wallabies in the 2003 World Cup final, at tighthead prop while Tom Palmer replaces Nick Kennedy at lock.

The England backs, and in particular debutant fullback Delon Armitage, sparkled in a 39-13 win over the Pacific Islanders last weekend but the forwards lacked dynamism and cohesion.

Much has been made of the front-row ascendancy England established in the 2003 World Cup final, then in the 2005 Twickenham clash and once again in last year's winning World Cup quarter-final in Marseille.

But England scrummaging coach Graham Rowntree has preached caution even though Vickery and the powerful loosehead Andrew Sheridan have been reunited.

"We haven't been shoving people around for the last couple of games," Rowntree said. "Last weekend we did not get the dominance I would have hoped."

Australia coach Robbie Deans said recent history would count for nothing at Twickenham.

"What happened in Marseille has no significance," he said. "There are only nine survivors from that day on both sides."

Unlike New Zealand, South Africa, who defeated Wales 20-15 in their opening match, will field their best side against the Scots.

"We're not going to give away freebies on this tour," said coach Peter de Villiers. "Guys will have to earn their spots. I think they will cherish the jersey more if they know they have earned it.

"If there are any changes, the players involved will deserve their places.

"The professional era has brought all the countries so close together that there is little to choose between them now.

"On their day, any team can beat any other team."