England international Manu Tuilagi has described being selected to partner Brian O'Driscoll in the centre for the British and Irish Lions as an "honour" ahead of their match with Western Force on Wednesday.
Head coach Warren Gatland revealed on Monday that the duo would come into the side for the second match of their summer tour of Australia, with the Ireland international being named as the captain of the side.
The 22-year-old admits that he cannot wait to play alongside O'Driscoll, whose previous Lions outings are remembered well.
"For me, it is an honour to be selected and be playing with a legend like him. I'm very excited," Tuilagi told Sky Sports News. "Saturday's game against the Barbarians went really well. The boys who played set the bar really high and it's an opportunity for us players on Wednesday to keep that bar high.
"I remember [O'Driscoll's] try against Australia [at Brisbane in 2001] for the Lions, so it is amazing to play alongside him. I am just taking everything in and trying to make the most of this experience. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"Every player who gets picked for the Lions is at the top of their game. You have to make the right decisions for the team - to carry or give the ball or whatever. It's not about the individual, it's about winning these games."
The Lions got the tour off to a perfect start with a 59-8 win over the Barbarians on Saturday.
Matt Cotton
