They called out the pack again and just the feeling of hearing it again and knowing that you’re in the team was just incredible

WHEN the call came it was so good he heard it twice: Donncha O’Callaghan had been selected to start for the Lions in Saturday’s second Test against the All Blacks.

The 25-year-old from Cork came on this tour as an outsider, not even a first-choice lock for Ireland and seemingly fifth and last in the Lions pecking order behind Paul O’Connell, Malcolm O’Kelly, Ben Kay and Danny Grewcock.

A lot has changed since, with O’Callaghan taking his opportunities with great aplomb, catching Clive Woodward’s eye early on with rousing performances against Taranaki and Otago and, according to the head coach just missing out on inclusion in the first Test.