Brian O'Driscoll was born on 21st January 1979, in Clontarf, Dublin. He is one of rugby's greatest ever outside centres and gained his first full cap for Ireland at the age of 20 against Australia in Brisbane on 12 June, 1999. This was before he had even played a senior game for his club side Leinster.

Irish Rugby Ever Present

After that, O'Driscoll became a regular in the Irish team making trademark exciting, surging runs and scoring tries on a regular basis. Following the retirement of Irish and Lions legend Keith Wood in 2003, 'BOD' was the natural successor as team captain. Soon after, he successfully led Ireland to a Triple Crown in the Six Nations.

2005 British & Irish Lions' Captain

Such was O'Driscoll's brilliance at centre he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2001, and participated in each of the three Tests. This was followed by the even greater accolade of being named Lions captain for the 2005 tour to New Zealand. Unfortunately for Brian and the Lions team, O'Driscoll was the victim of a dangerous tackle within the opening minutes of the first Test. O'Driscoll's shoulder was dislocated and he played no further part on the tour. It was a huge personal disappointment and a major loss to the Lions.