WILL GREENWOOD

NZ v Lions, Christchurch, 2005

Ithought the chance to play a Test had passed me by. In 1997 a brutal impact with the Bloemfontein floor prompted a near-death experience. In 2001, an ankle-ligament tear ended my chances of starting in Brisbane.

By 2005, I was a dirt tracker and happy to play my part as an understudy.

Except that on a Lions tour nothing goes completely to plan. I was selected on the bench, covering Brian O’driscoll, the toughest old goat of them all.

I slept well. I was unlikely to feature so the nerves did not disturb. I had the best seat in the house, was comfy in a bodysuit with a hot water bottle tucked inside, hat, gloves and thermals, and was about to eat my first

Haribo when after 42 seconds I was rudely shouted at by Steve

Thompson, the

Northampton hooker:

“Shaggy, you’re on!”

I ignored him until

BOD rolled past me on the golf-cart gurney. I instantly went from Zen relaxation to a 250 heart rate with a body in full

‘shock’ mode. It did not help and we got tonked.