Aussie rookie Byrnes ready to fire Lions pack

AMID all the hype surrounding the return of Brian O’Driscoll and Denis Hickie, Adam Byrnes slipped back into the Leinster pack with the minimum of fuss.

The young Australian never expected it any other way. He was just relieved to be back out on the pitch and in a position to justify Michael Cheika’s decision to make him his first signing last June.

Since his arrival from Sydney, the second-rower has managed only four appearances. His start against Munster on New Year’s Eve was his first run out since snapping knee medial ligaments against Gwent-Newport Dragons in September.