A touring Lion in 2001, making two midweek appearances, O'Gara will look to make the step up from the bench to win his first cap this summer despite stiff competition in the fly-half ranks.

That is something the Munster man has not avoided in the past, indeed he has been a part of a see-saw battle for the Ireland No 10 shirt down the years with David Humphreys.

The San Diego-born O'Gara has certainly been winning the fight of late though, being the first-choice since impressing in last year's Six Nations as he helped Ireland win the Triple Crown.

O'Gara shot onto the European stage in the 2000 Heineken Cup as he inspired Munster to the final - and the Irish selectors sat up and took notice.

He was frustrated by injuries and a loss of form in the summer of 2002, allowing Humphreys to edge him out of the Ireland side, but now he is back firing on all cylinders.

A solid goal-kicker, probably only Jonny Wilkinson is better, and a shrewd playmaker, it is great to see the Munster man back where he belongs – on the biggest stage of all.