Arguably the best centre in world rugby, BRIAN O'DRISCOLL has stepped up to the plate with aplomb to be Ireland's talismanic leader, leading his country to 28 wins in 38 Test matches as captain.

The Dublin-born star first made world headlines when his hat-trick of tries against France in 2000 guided Ireland to their first win in Paris for 28 years. Educated at Blackrock College and University College Dublin, O'Driscoll combines sheer determination, brilliant defensive qualities, dazzling attacking skills and a winning mentality to be one of the most feared players in the world.

In the space of three years, he rose through the Ireland ranks from the Schools team right through to the senior side, winning the FIRA Under-19 World Youth Championship on the way.

He won his first senior cap on the 1999 summer tour to Australia, and played in all four of Ireland's games at the 1999 World Cup, scoring his first try against the US Eagles. O'Driscoll was ever-present for the 2000 Five Nations and lit up the competition with his superb hat-trick against France.

He added to his growing superstar status by scoring a wonder try for the Lions against Australia in 2001. He kept up that form in the 2002 Six Nations, grabbing a brilliant hat-trick of tries against Scotland, and was nominated for the 2002 IRB World Player of the Year award.

O'Driscoll captained Ireland for the first time when winning his 31st cap against Australia in November 2002 and took over as skipper of the squad for the 2004 Six Nations after Keith Wood's retirement.

His Leinster team-mate Gordon D'Arcy's return to the Ireland side in 2004 saw the pair strike up a fine midfield partnership at Test level which has stood to this day.

The fleet-footed duo, as devastating in defence as they are in attack, had key roles in Ireland's three recent Triple Crown successes and O'Driscoll's recovery from a fractured sinus will be vital for Ireland's 2007 World Cup hopes.

The current Leinster captain continued to be instrumental for Ireland between 2004 and 2007, steering the men in green to some fantastic wins over the likes of England, South Africa and Australia.

In 2005, O'Driscoll became Ireland's first Lions captain since Ciaran Fitzgerald in 1983 but a dislocated shoulder ruined his tour to New Zealand. He returned to full fitness to lead Ireland to two more Triple Crown triumphs in 2006 and 2007, and was named as the RBS Player of the Six Nations in both years.

He beat Keith Wood's captaincy record of 36 Tests when Ireland defeated Italy in their last game of the 2007 Six Nations. His try in 2007 Six Nations opener against Wales was his 29th in all and he is currently Ireland's joint-top try scorer alongside his Leinster colleague Denis Hickie.

O'Driscoll was sidelined with injury prior to the RWC but took a full part in that campaign and featured in four of the 2008 RBS 6 Nations, missing out the final game through injury.