Ireland coach Warren Gatland is tipping his star centre Brian O'Driscoll to take Australia by storm after he was named today in the Lions tour party.

The 22-year-old Leinster ace is joined in the 37-man squad by fellow countrymen Keith Wood, Malcolm O'Kelly, Ronan O'Gara, Rob Henderson and Jeremy Davidson.

O'Driscoll was a certainty for the tour after two tremendous Six Nations Championship campaigns and Gatland expects him to make the Test team despite a season disrupted by injury and postponements.

``He's got something that is a little bit special,'' said Gatland. ``He's been a bit plagued with injuries. He's not played a lot of rugby which means he'll be pretty fresh when he goes on tour.''

O'Driscoll made his international debut for Ireland against Australia in the 1999 first Test in Brisbane and is looking forward to returning to the
Queensland capital for the first Lions Test on June 30.

``It's a lovely country,'' he said. ``There will be quality pitches and good conditions, so hopefully we'll see some fast rugby. The number one goal is trying to remain injury free until it kicks off and get as fit as possible. I've not been playing much.

``I'll enjoy a couple of days of celebrations and then I'm going to have to get hard into it on Saturday or Sunday.''

Hooker Wood and lock O'Kelly also have high hopes of making Graham Henry's first-choice side.

O'Kelly said: ``I didn't sleep a wink last night so it was a relief to get a call. I have to say I'm very relieved, the nerves are gone and all that's left is elation.

``But I won't be celebrating just yet as my main intention is to make the Test team. I've been working up to this all year and to finally get it was fantastic. I can now go on to the next stage, which is to try and make the side for the three Test matches.''

Points machine O'Gara is likely to be third-choice out-half behind Jonny Wilkinson and Neil Jenkins but was delighted to receive a surprise call.

The postponement of three of Ireland's Six Nations games this year due to the foot and mouth epidemic in the United Kingdom had helped to sew seeds of doubt in the mind of the 24-year-old O'Gara.

``The closer it got, the smaller I thought my chances were,'' he said. ``A few weeks ago I was more confident but once the time comes around, you doubt yourself and wonder about the competition at out-half. Luckily I got the nod.

``It only comes along every four years so I'm extremely lucky. You need luck on your side and I've probably got the rub of the green this time.

``I would have been disappointed to miss out and the bonus of being selected is absolutely huge. I'll let it sink in for a few days and then set a goal for the rest of the tour.''

O'Gara's appearances are likely to be restricted to the midweek team but Gatland believes the tour will further develop the youngster's the huge talent.

``He has a big-match temperament,'' said Gatland. ``He is a player still improving and developing. He still has a lot to do as a player but he has made a lot of progress in last 12 months and, hopefully this will will bring on his game.''

Lions tour manager Donal Lenihan, the former Ireland manager, admitted that the Six Nations postponements had hindered the tour prospects of players from the Emerald Isle.

``If you are to be totally honest, the fact they were out of the representative scene for three months wasn't a plus,'' he said. ``They have not been in a position to show their best wares.

``It was unfortunate that young guys like John Hayes and David Wallace didn't have many chances to show themselves.''

Lenihan had the difficult task of breaking the bad news to unlucky Irishmen like Hayes, Wallace, Peter Clohessy and Denis Hickie, who all marginally missed out.

``It's part and parcel of the job but once you are up front with them they accept the decision,'' he said.

``It was particularly hard telling Peter, who was selected in 1997 and then had to miss the tour because of injury.

``This was probably his last chance of gaining selection on a Lions' tour whereas John (Hayes) and Denis (Hickie) will still be contention for the next tour.

It was another cruel blow for Clohessy, just days after his Munster side were defeated by Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup semi-final.