LIONS TRIUMPH

“There was unbelievable pressure that week after leaving Brian O’Driscoll out and the storm that created. I didn’t expect that; I knew there would be some criticism but I didn’t realise the level of division it would create.

“After the game I spent ten minutes in the changing room on my own. I wanted to enjoy the occasion and go round to see the players but when I walked onto the field there was a wall of photographers. I walked for 20 metres as they took photos but they wouldn’t move, so I turned around, walked into the changing room and opened a beer.

“I wanted to be out on the pitch but instead had ten minutes on my own. I was quite emotional – I probably shed a tear!

“It was a special moment; we’d been written off and enjoyed a record Lions victory in terms of points in a Test. I thought we played exceptionally well and the most significant thing was the impact of the bench; they gave the momentum to bring us home.”