Keeping Keith Wood quiet in a match was a nigh on impossible task. He loved to be involved at every opportunity from first whistle to the last – in all aspects of play, even kicking out of hand.

Hard-as-nails with all the physical attributes required of a front-row forward plus the skills of a back, the shaven-headed hooker became a talisman for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions in his nine-year international career. These qualities added to his prowess as an orator combined to make Wood a fine leader of men who captained his country with distinction.

Wood was capped 65 times by Ireland and appeared in three Rugby World Cups as well as touring twice with the Lions. At RWC 1999 he scored four tries against the USA to equal the record for most tries by a forward in a single RWC match.