<text>  Evergreen Paul OConnell can still scale new heights ahead of notching his 100th Ireland cap in Saturdays pivotal RBS 6 Nations showdown in Wales, according to Sean Cronin. Veteran lock OConnell will equal Mick Galweys record as Irelands oldest captain of all time at exactly 35 years and 145 days at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. The Munster talisman will become just the fourth star to hit 100 Tests for Ireland, joining Brian ODriscoll, Ronan OGara and John Hayes in the century club. Sean Cronin believes veteran Paul OConnell above still has a long career ahead of him . Leinster hooker Cronin hailed OConnells intensity and physicality as the crux of Irelands relentless pursuit of ever-higher standards under taskmaster boss Joe Schmidt. Its a phenomenal achievement: I think hes getting better with it even as the years go on, said Cronin, as Ireland look to home in on a second Grand Slam in six years this weekend. But hes the kind of player that, whenever hes playing, he nearly makes you play better because thats the enthusiasm, the passion, the physicality that he brings. He kind of instils that in the players around him, its great to play under him. He sets the standard and youve got to get up there with him. Hell demand it off you one way or another, so its great to play with a person like that, because it raises your standards as well. OConnell will equal Mick Galweys record as Irelands oldest captain of all time on Saturday . OConnell will stride past a multitude of milestones in Cardiff this weekend, as he aims to mark his 50th Six Nations performance by setting Ireland a new winning Test run of 11 matches. Wales and Scotland block Irelands path to Grand Slam glory and a third career Six Nations crown for OConnell. As the teams complete preparations in the Millennium Stadiums bowels this weekend, OConnell will launch into a trademark tub-thumping team talk. Cronin acknowledged the legend around OConnell bringing team-mates to tears with his unbridled pre-match passion - but admitted the Munster stalwarts rhetoric far more fearsome than emotive. The 35-year-old is put through his paces during an Ireland training session at the Kingspan Stadium . Ive nipped out a couple of times to dot the eyes during his talks! joked Cronin of myths OConnell can invoke raw emotions. No, but seriously, he scares me more than makes me cry to be honest with you. He brings a certain level, you see him doing it, his intensity, physicality, attention to detail. So when you see him doing that, youre saying to yourself I need to get to that as well. If 15 or 23 lads get to that level, were hard to beat. Hes similar to Joe Schmidt in some ways. Paul isnt going to get to the heights of Test rugby that he has without hard work and accuracy. Hes got great influence on the squad, the lads buy into that and hes fantastic to have around. 