Hayes didn't begin his rugby career until the age of 18 but just seven years later was called into the Ireland senior squad for the first time for the summer tour of South Africa.

Despite not appearing in any of the Tests there, he gained valuable experience in the midweek matches and finally marked his breakthrough with a string of impressive displays in the 2000 Six Nations.

He has been a regular ever since with his fierce competitive spirit and fighting qualities a key component of the Irish squad; his incredible workrate and physicality perhaps not catching the eye in the way a Brian O'Driscoll run does but equally important in the grand scheme of things.

Pundits in New Zealand were quick to cite his performance in the Six Nations clash with France as proof that he is not good enough to be a Lions tourist, but with Phil Vickery struggling the choice came down to Adam Jones and Hayes, with the Irishman winning the vote.

He is unlikely to win a Test starting berth and is certainly too long in the tooth to be one for the future, yet Hayes' power could make him a useful impact player for Sir Clive Woodward.