O’Driscoll determined to end career on a high

Asked if it was okay to call him the "elder statesman" of the side, Brian O'Driscoll laughed and said it was fine by him - his wife, Amy, had already pointed out he would be the oldest player among the 37-strong squad of British & Irish Lions.

At 34, the wheel has turned full circle for the Ireland international. It was 12 years ago that O'Driscoll made his debut with the Lions on the 2001 tour of Australia. Now he is back for one last throw of the dice and hoping to experience for the first time what it would be like to win a series.

"This is my fourth tour with the Lions which in this modern era of professionalism is rare. There were players in the amateur days who had gone on four tours, but I'm the first one to do it since the game went professional and it is a real honour to be selected again," O'Driscoll told the Sunday Morning Post.

O'Driscoll is proud of his unique position. Four outings with the Lions have resulted in the 125-cap Ireland centre getting the opportunity to relive his most memorable moment with the Lions, his debut in Brisbane.

"I have got the chance to play twice against Australia as a Lion, which is something not many would have done. Even if you look at it from the opposite side, most players get the chance to play against the Lions only once in a lifetime. I'm blessed to be where I am now and I guess my longevity is because I have been able to look after myself."

In 2001, as a 22-year-old, O'Driscoll walked out for the first time at the Gabba in Brisbane and was momentarily stunned by the reception the Lions received from a sea of red shirts. "I was shocked at how many red shirts there were in the stadium. It was like a home game and what was memorable was that we won that day, the only time I won a Lions test in six outings."