Former British & Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell has admitted that he considers himself lucky to have been selected for the tour of Australia this summer.
The 33-year-old last featured for Ireland against France in the Six Nations on March 4 and has endured a year of knee and back injuries.
However, he was included in Warren Gatland's 37-man squad, which delighted the lock.
"I am delighted to be on the tour," O'Connell told Sky Sports News.
"I am probably a little bit lucky to be on the tour considering I haven't played a lot of international rugby this season and just coming back from the injury, so I am absolutely thrilled to be going on the plane."
O'Connell missed out on the captaincy to Wales's Sam Warburton.
