THE scenario is familiar to all of us.

One day you look around and there seem to be so many more faces younger than our own.

It's one of those depressing facts of life as time takes its toll, but spare a thought for Newport's James Collins, he's just had one of those moments and he's only 23!

The West Ham United defender, just back from surgery on a long standing hernia problem, is set to marshall an extremely young looking Welsh rearguard in Saturday's crucial European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland at Croke Park (3pm).

The most experienced player in an expected defence that will also include 17-year old teenage sensation Gareth Bale, 21-year old Craig Morgan and 18-year old Lewin Nyatanga, Collins suddenly finds himself as the elder statesman for the biggest game of his career.

Having broken into a Wales defence that included Mark Delaney, Robert Page and Ben Thatcher, it's quite a dramatic change for Collins who will also have to do without his best mate and defensive partner for club and country, Danny Gabbidon.

But the Newport-born defender isn't fazed a bit, he's just thrilled to be involved after such a frustrating season, hampered by injuries and West Ham's surprising slump.

Collins made his first team comeback for the Hammers in Sunday's controversial win at Blackburn and now he's ready to go from strength to strength.

He explained: "This will be the biggest game of my career, as occasions go it doesn't get any bigger than this and I am really looking forward to it.

"People keep telling me I am the senior defender now which is absolutely frightening, I feel very old!

"But in all seriousness I don't mind at all. Obviously it'll be weird playing for Wales without Danny (Gabbidon), but I expect it to be a great match.

"It's pressure that I like, I want to turn it into a positive performance and we have real belief at the moment.

"It'll be a very emotional occasion for all of the players, the first football match at Croke Park is a big deal and it's important we don't freeze on the day.

"But Ireland are under a lot of pressure and it's a big game for them as well, the Irish fans will be expecting a win and it is up to us to stop them.

"Our players are buzzing, we have a lot of confidence in the squad."

Collins admits this season has been one long depressing blur, he's barely featured for West Ham because of injury and his side are enduring a horrific campaign that sees them adrift of safety in the Premiership.

"It's been a frustrating year, but since my surgery everything's been first class. To play 90 minutes at Blackburn felt brilliant because until the operation I kept getting into the team and then getting injured again.

"Premiership football is tough and Ireland have plenty of Premiership players. We are under no illusions about playing Ireland, they've got the likes of Robbie Keane and Damien Duff and it'll be very difficult.

"But confidence is high, we feel we can do it and I see it as a chance to show what I can do."