Brian O'driscoll

Dublin boy Brian O'Driscoll is an internationally admired rugby player and an Irish hero. Educated at Blackrock College, the alma mater of many Irish greats, his ambition was always to represent his country.Capped three times for Ireland Schools in 1996, O'Driscoll was on his way, and had soon represented Ireland at under-19 level - where he helped his country win the IRB under-19 World Championship - before progressing through the under-21 ranks and finally realising his dream, representing his beloved Ireland at senior level. Making his debut against Australia at the tender age of 20 - before he'd even made his senior club debut for Leinster - O'Driscoll went on to establish himself as one of the top outside centres in the game.Made captain of his country in 2003, O'Driscoll's phenomenal record includes consecutive triple crowns in 2006 and 2007 - as well as one in his first year as skipper - and the RBS Six Nations player of the tournament for 2006 and 2007.Honoured with a call-up to the British and Irish Lions 2001 tour of Australia, he played in all three tests, before his exemplary leadership skills and bravery saw him achieve the ultimate accolade for a home nations' player: captaining the Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand. It was a role that would be cut all too short for O'Driscoll as his tour lasted barely a minute in a storm of acrimony and agony, his shoulder dislocated after a dangerous tackle.Nicknamed BOD by the Croke Park faithful - and in BOD they certainly do trust - Brian O'Driscoll is a true colossus of the game. This is the definitive portrait of the Irish legend.