Today marks the 15 year anniversary of Brian O'Driscoll's first cap for Ireland. On June 12th 1999 Ireland played Australia in the first of three test matches and handed a debut to a young Dubliner who had not yet made a senior appearance for Leinster. Nobody knew then that Brian O'Driscoll would go on to become Ireland's greatest ever rugby player.
A fresh faced BOD lined up for his first squad photo in the green of Ireland:
In training on the week of his debut, the glasses, the sandals, brilliant.:
And here he is in action for the first time, fittingly avoiding a tackle:
And here is the Irish Times match report from the match, where Ireland were hammered but Dricko's "youthful exuberance provided their only joy.’