Obviously it came as a bit of surprise to see me picked at full-back against Western Australia.

But honestly is does not really worry me in the least.

I do not know about the situation regarding me playing full-back in the Tests. I will leave that up to the management.

But hey, if Graham Henry asked me to play hooker for the Lions I would do it!

I am fairly relaxed about the game.

I turned out a few times for the Ireland under-21 side as well as playing at full-back during my university days, so it is nothing strange to me.

I think it will be a bit of fun.

On saying that, playing full-back for Dublin University and the Lions are two completely different things.

But while it was a bit of a surprise to myself, I am really looking forward to the game.

Early run-out

I see it as a real challenge, and I suppose it is another string to my bow.

It looks as if I will have the full contingent of Irish boys with me in the first game to help me out in an emergency.

I suppose the fact that Ireland's season was seriously interrupted meant the management thought it would be best to give us all a chance of an early run-out.

Good to see Woody at the helm. He will take that in his stride; he is well used to it.

Western Australia will be a fairly useful side.

They are an invitation team and they have some very good players on board.

Rugby is not the most prominent sport here and there has not been that much interest generated.

However, I expect things will liven up somewhat when we head out to the east coast to Brisbane and Sydney.

Once again the training has been fairly intense since we arrived.

However, we had a day off on Wednesday and we all split up into groups for some good quality time off.

Some went golfing, others shooting and fishing.

It has brought us closer as a unit, and there is a tremendous feeling of togetherness already in the squad.