THE threat of the finest outside centre in the world is looming large for Newport Gwent Dragons player Hal Luscombe at Lansdowne Road on Sunday.

For in just his third game in the position for Wales Luscombe comes up against Brian O'Driscoll, British Lions captain and the widely acknowledged genius in the Ireland ranks.

Luscombe has settled well at 13 and Scott Johnson, now the Wales coach after the upheaval of the past ten days, has already claimed he could become a world star.

Sunday will indicate whether that assessment is right as Luscombe tries to curb the gifted O'Driscoll and at the same time set up one or two opportunities himself.

"Everyone knows what Brian can do, we've all seen how well he can play. He's Ireland's talisman, he's home grown, the Lions captain and a great player," admitted Luscombe, who wins his 13th cap.

But, indicating he won't be fazed by the great man's presence, he said, "We needed to do our homework on him and where we can expose him, and we've done that.

"But Brian and Gordon D'Arcy are two absolutely quality centres. What Scott said about me was flattering, but I feel I'm a bit off that, I'm still only 24 and I'm growing with every game.

"We've done a lot of analysis on Ireland. They seem to have changed the way they play to a more expansive style, and two teams will go at one another full tilt."

Luscombe, like everyone else, is aware the match has been overshadowed by the fall-out from the departure of coach Mike Ruddock, but insists he has remained outside it all and is focused on the game and his own development.

"As a player playing for Wales you always want to win, especially now in the tough times," he said. "A lot of questions have been asked about the players, but I don't speak a lot to my family about it and I don't watch or read anything about it. I'm not sure what the fans are like because we haven't been out there or played a game.

"Hopefully it will have a galvanising effect on the team. It has been a bit harder to get everything right, but now we can concentrate on playing rugby.

"Anything involving the politics I've walked away from because I don't want to get involved, so I'm just focusing on the game and trying to make the jersey my own.

"We've been trying to keep things the same as before and though it's a bit strange changing the coach it hasn't been much different for me as I'd always been coached by Scott Johnson anyway."

On a lighter note, Luscombe is delighted to get an opportunity to infiltrate the Llanelli Scarlets back division in Ireland, for with Stephen Jones returning to the team, Luscombe is the player there without Llanelli connections.

"It should be exciting playing for the Scarlets!" he joked. "But they have been in form in the Celtic League and it's nice to be alongside such quality players.

"Lee Byrne gives us a left-footed option and he's quick, but we'll really miss Alfie, he's an exceptional leader who is an inspiration to me and everyone else.

"But things happen, players pick up injuries and as a team we wish him a speedy recovery."