It is one of the proudest memories of Rob Henderson’s rugby career, and yet, arguably the most painful. The Irish centre endured all the trials and tribulations of rugby union at club and international level, from World Cup heartbreak to European Cup glory, but for the now 52-tear-old nothing encapsulated the highs and lows of the game more than the 2001 British Lions tour of Australia.

In many respects, Henderson boarded the plane for Perth that summer as a rank outsider for Test selection at inside centre. Scott Gibbs, one of the heroes of South Africa in 1997, was also on tour, as were the likes of England duo Mike Catt and Will Greenwood. Furthermore, his charismatic, jovial nature was not the kind of persona that head coach Graham Henry was renowned for embracing.

He flew home seven weeks later, having been one of the Lions’ outstanding performers. The perfect foil at 12 for compatriot Brian O’Driscoll outside him, it was the summer that enhanced Henderson’s reputation, and yet, he touched down back home in Ireland without the series win he craved.

The Lions famously won the opening Test in Brisbane before blowing a winning position to seal the series in Melbourne. It all came down to Sydney, where a Lions side by then plagued by injuries went down 29-23 in an excruciating finish.