Ireland's Lions

Lions tour: How the 11 Irish players heard of their selection:

Brian O'Driscoll

"It's an enormous honour to get the captaincy of a team that is steeped in tradition and to be leading a party with so many great players. It's the ultimate accolade in rugby.

"I've been talking to Clive (Woodward) the whole time and he did tell me that I would be captain about two weeks ago but it's still a relief to have it confirmed and to be finally able to tell people.

"The first text of congratulations I received was from Victor (Costello) prior to the announcement and by the time I got back to my phone after the official duties I had 45 text messages.

"We are going to play rugby in a rugby mecca against a country who epitomise what's best about the sport. It couldn't be a tougher challenge but that in itself makes it all the more exciting."

Shane Byrne

"We had training at 12.0 and I had to drop the kids off so when I rushed in to the television it had already started.

"There was no text so I was a bit panicky, to say the least. I never dreamt about playing for the Lions because it was so far off. I was more concerned with trying to win a cap for Ireland.

"I suppose when we won the Triple Crown last year I remember thinking that it was a pity it wasn't a Lions year.

"It's fantastic and I'm going to have this cheesy grin on my face for ages. It's about getting on that plane now and being in the best condition that you possibly can.

"When you get to New Zealand it'll be all out to win a starting place, no hanging around, no biding your time.

"It's brilliant."

Denis Hickie

"I heard via a text from one of my friends. Relief was my first reaction as the pressure had been building up over the last few weeks.

"Like all the guys, I'm just delighted to be selected. Every player ultimately had it as a goal to get on the tour at the start of the season, but you can only play to the best of your ability.

"It is tinged with a little bit of disappointment as guys like Axel (Anthony Foley) and Strings (Peter Stringer), whose hats were in the ring, were left out. I feel sorry for them, as I know how hard it is in that situation.

"I think the 11 selections are a reflection of the performances over the last two or three years. The last two (Irish) games are not but this year was also a good marker from an Irish point of view."

Shane Horgan

"I didn't get a text. Victor Costello rang me to tell me the names were up on the website. I had been watching it on TV. Being selected is the pinnacle for a rugby player.

" It's difficult to visualise making it growing up as only the elite get to go. The tension had been building especially with so many people having an opinion on it and having my name attached to this was nerve-racking so it's a huge relief.

"Now, anybody who is going wants to make the Test team as it's not just enough to be in the tour party. Brian being named captain and Denis (Hickie) getting in is great because they are such close friends. Gordon, Mal, Shane and all the other Irish guys as well.

"It's fantastic but I am disappointed for the other guys, especially Reggie (Corrigan) as he is the cornerstone of our pack. You get greedy and want everybody in I suppose."

Gordon D'Arcy

"I got a call from a friend, DK, to say that he was on the internet, that my name hadn't been included in the original squad and to commiserate.

"I was in Riverview just finishing a fitness session and went to watch the announcement a couple of minutes after that call intent on finding out who'd got my place.

"Within seconds of my name being read out the same friend came back on to say that the squad had been amended on the 'net and my name was in.

"I am under no illusions about the size of the challenge ahead of me. I have had a lot of bad luck this season but got that little bit of good fortune in being selected for this squad.

" I intend to make the most of that and can't wait to embrace this opportunity."

Donncha O'Callaghan

"I was swimming with the Munster lads - those who had played a Celtic League game on Sunday - and hopped out just before the time when the squad was due to be announced.

"We'd heard there would be text messages but when there was none on the phone I feared the worst and headed home to my mum's for breakfast.

"When my name was read out I had to ask her had I heard it correctly and then felt obliged to jump around the place. I'm thrilled. It was one of my goals and now I have to reassess those

"Paul Wallace and Jeremy Davidson wouldn't have been red-hot favourites for the Test team in 1997 when they travelled but they made it. I like to think everyone will be given a fair crack and after that let the best secondrows be chosen."

Paul O'Connell

"It's nice to get it rubber-stamped. You'd never take anything for granted.

"There are certain aspects of my game that I have to improve and I would be looking to do that over the coming weeks.

"It's about training very hard and making sure that you have a high level of fitness. There's also plenty to be done in terms of playing for Munster and the matches that are left. That's very important to me.

"I never grew up dreaming of playing for the Lions, it wasn't a massive goal. It probably started with watching videos of the 1997 Lions - that sparked a bigger interest and also the fact that when you start to play international rugby it is something that's possible, if a long way away. It's a huge honour."

John Hayes

"I didn't get any text message so it wasn't a great start. This was made worse by the fact that I thought they'd announce the squad in terms of positions - as is the norm - rather than alphabetically. They'd already gone past the Hs when I realised that it was being called out alphabetically.

"It wasn't until the names scrolled through at the bottom of the screen that I realised I had been named. Even at that I waited until it went through a second time before I really believed I had made it. It's fantastic.

"The key now is to avoid injury but there's not a question of compromising commitment. Munster still have some matches left. When you make the plane then you'll focus on showing what you can do when it matters. Every player will want to wear that famous red jersey and will have to earn the right."

Ronan O'Gara

"I got a phone call on Sunday from Clive Woodward's PA to ask me what number I'd be on that night between 8-10pm as Clive wanted a word.

"At a couple of minutes past eight he rang and told me that I was in the party and that there was an issue he wanted to discuss. He also phoned Stephen (Jones) and Charlie (Hodgson) to ask them if they had any objection to the fact that he would include Jonny Wilkinson in the party if he conclusively proved his fitness before he went.

"We want to win the Test series so none of us had a problem. Jonny would be an acquisition to any team.

I'm delighted and relieved to have made it but disappointed for those who missed out as one tour every four years makes it a precious opportunity."

Malcolm O'Kelly

"I found out after a couple of texts from friends congratulating me.

"I was expecting a text but I think only those who missed out got text messages. I then saw confirmation on television.

"I know how difficult it is going to be having been a part of the tour the last time (in Australia in 2001).

"Yeah, I hope to use the knowledge of those last six weeks to my advantage and naturally, like everyone else, try and get on the Test team.

"I am very excited especially coming out of such a long season but 11 Irish guys, and six Leinster, is a good result."

Geordan Murphy

"There was no text and I was actually on the point of deciding not to watch the announcement on Sky. I was going to wait for a call from friends to see if I got in or not but then opted to watch.

"My heart was beating so fast when they were calling out the squad. I thought that I had a reasonably good chance but wouldn't have been presumptuous enough to get too confident.

"It was always going to be a question of Clive Woodward selecting players for the style of rugby that he wants to play. I wouldn't have been suicidal if I missed out but I'm delighted to be there.

"Leicester have some tough matches coming up in the Premiership and Europe and that's what I'm focusing on in the short term."