Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll reaches 100 caps
Brian O'Driscoll is about to reach the landmark of 100 caps for Ireland is certainly cause for celebration.
But those raising a glass to Irish rugby's talisman for the last decade may also have a sobering thought nagging away at them.
To many, the Irish skipper has done it all after leading his country to that long-awaited Grand Slam last year, going on to win the top club honour in the game with Leinster's Heineken Cup triumph.
The Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 was, arguably, to have been his finest hour, leading the cream of British and Irish rugby on their journey to take on the mighty All Blacks.
But it all ended quickly, in desperate disappointment for O'Driscoll, as he was injured in a controversial tackle just one minute into the first Test match.
The Lions complained that the star player had been a victim of a disgraceful spear tackle, but the damage had been done and O'Driscoll's tour was over.
O'Driscoll, a product of Blackrock College, made his international debut as a raw 20-year-old against Australia in Brisbane in 1999.
"In my time playing rugby and watching rugby he was certainly the best centre - by far. Jeremy Guscott was one of the best attacking players I ever played against but Brian had the all-round package."
Those telling you to watch out for this young fellow were smugly mouthing 'told you' less than a year later as the boy from Clontarf burst on to the international scene with a blistering Six Nations hat-trick against France.
"If O'Driscoll hadn't scored on that day, his performance was still the best I had ever seen," recalled former Ireland captain Keith Wood, who led the side that day. "His presence offered hope for the rest of the team."
O'Driscoll had caught the imagination of rugby fans worldwide and, since then, has more than delivered on that early promise.
"I have played with Brian for many years and we all know he's world class. Every team in the world fears and respects him," said Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy.
"And during the Lions tour, I could see just how much he had developed as a player and a leader, how much he understands the game and the impact he has on other players.
"I think he has a few more years left. Ireland have looked after him, they have not overplayed him.
"He is important to them as an individual and captain as they work towards the World Cup."
O'Driscoll has played in three World Cups, been on three Lions tours and savoured Six Nations and Heineken Cup triumphs.
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