Sean St Ledger will swap the challenge of marking npower Championship strikers for the task of trying to keep out some of the best in the world this summer.

The 27-year-old Leicester defender could find himself face-to-face with the likes of Fernando Torres and Fernando Llorente when the Republic of Ireland take on Spain in the Euro 2012 finals next month.

However, while he admits the prospect is daunting, he is relishing the opportunity to test himself against some of the biggest names in the game as he attempts to bridge a sizeable gap.

St Ledger said: "It's a big one, probably about £50million's worth. But I will look forward to that.

"It's a challenge and one that I don't face, obviously, every week. But when I was younger, these are the games that you want to be involved in and these are the players you want to play against.

"If you can keep them quiet, that's a huge moment for you and I would be very proud of myself.

"You have to pay them the respect they deserve. Chelsea haven't paid £50million for Torres because he's rubbish, so you give him that respect.

"He's a world-class player and sometimes, the stage is set for them.

"But like I say, I am looking forward to the challenge of hopefully not letting him score."

St Ledger is likely to partner Aston Villa's Richard Dunne at the heart of Giovanni Trapattoni's defence in Poland and Ukraine with the duo having established themselves as the Italian's number one pair.

With 25 caps to his name, the former Preston and Middlesbrough defender is no novice.

However, Dunne's immense experience and catalogue of heroic displays in the green shirt of Ireland proved central to the Republic's qualification, no more so than in Russia last September when he produced a stubborn display which almost defied belief.

Asked if Dunne does the jobs of two men, St Ledger replied with a smile: "He needs to when I'm playing badly.

"He's a man mountain, he's brilliant, I can't speak highly enough of him.

"He leads from the front. His performance in Russia probably sums him up as a man and as a footballer.

"He has not done what he has done in the Premier League for so many years for being a bad player.

"For me to play alongside him, it's a learning curve. He probably takes the lead whenever we play and I just try to follow the lead and go from there."

The whole of Ireland collectively held its breath when Dunne fractured his collarbone in February, an injury which left him facing more than two months on the sidelines and with his international manager keeping everything crossed.

St Ledger admitted he too was worried, if only briefly.

He said: "A little bit. But he would run through a brick wall for you - he showed that in Russia.

"Even if he was probably half-fit and it was still broken, I am sure he would play. It's the European Championships."

Trapattoni's men know the odds are heavily against them in their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals from Group C with Croatia and Italy, as well as Spain, standing in their way.

However, St Ledger is certain none of them will underestimate the Irish after what they have achieved during the four years of the Italian's reign to date.

He said: "These players are not at the top of their profession because they look at the other team and don't think they are as good.

"They are there because they are professional and I am sure they will be approaching the game knowing that we are a good side.

"Obviously yes, we are underdogs and somebody always has to be, I suppose, but we are going into this tournament not just to hopefully get a point or two, we are looking to qualify, to get into the next stage."

The atmosphere is already building in Ireland with the squad due to fly out to their Italian training camp on Sunday, and St Ledger is determined to enjoy every minute of it.

He said: "It's been 24 years since we qualified for the Euros, so why not enjoy the moment? It could be another 24 years before we qualify, who knows?

"You just have to take it for what it is and enjoy the moment."