By any yardstick, 2001 was a year to treasure for Irish rugby and its captain Keith Wood. The season may have been disrupted by foot-and-mouth disease but Wood managed to overcome any difficulties with displays for Ireland and the Lions in Australia that were as effective as they were inspirational.

Building on the promise of the previous year, Wood led Ireland to the perfect start in the Six Nations championship with wins over Italy and France before foot-and-mouth intervened and the rest of the campaign was postponed until the autumn. When action resumed, a hugely disappointing display against Scotland was quickly forgotten when Ireland recovered to beat Wales in Cardiff and then took the prized scalp of England before an ecstatic Lansdowne Road.

Wood's memorable try in that game, combined with leading Harlequins to the European Shield and a pivotal role with the Lions earned the Irish captain the World Player of the Year award.