From fourth-choice Ireland centre to Lions squad member in 18 months - not bad for a man who came perilously close to walking away from the game he has a God-given gift for.

D'Arcy entered last year's Six Nations campaign behind captain Brian O'Driscoll, Anthony Horgan and Denis Hickie in the pecking order of Irish centres.

Yet such was his impact at the highest level, he ended the year on the five-man shortlist for the International Rugby Board's prestigious player of the year award.

The Leinster man had made his full Ireland debut during the 1999 World Cup as a 19-year-old but quickly fell out of the limelight - and very nearly the game.

Recently-sacked Scotland coach Matt Williams, then in charge of Leinster, was his salvation and put D'Arcy back on the track.

A string of classy performances for his province brought Eddie O'Sullivan to his door and when O'Driscoll was ruled out of the Six Nations clash with France last year, D'Arcy had his chance and was in the right frame of mind to take it.

He did so in style - turning in a string of stunning performances, particularly against England as he ripped the world champions' defence apart at will.

Yet just as he reached his peak, groin and hamstring injuries struck him down for the best part of a year and he was unable to help Ireland bid to justify their favourite's tag in this year's Six Nations.

Back to form and fitness now, his provincial partnership with O'Driscoll is one that oozes class and D'Arcy certainly doesn’t suffering by comparison with the Lions skipper.