O'Driscoll's tour to New Zealand in 2005 was brought to an abrupt end during the 1st Test with the All Blacks © Getty Images

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Teams Ireland

Inspirational Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll insists that his focus is set squarely on Leinster and Ireland in the coming months despite the looming presence of next year's Lions tour to South Africa being on the horizon.

Former Lions skipper O'Driscoll's sparkling performance against Edinburgh in Saturday's Heineken Cup opener, where he scored a try and set another up for team-mate Felipe Contepomi, certainly hinted that he is returning to his best form.

With Lions coach Ian McGeechan scanning the Heineken Cup as keenly as the upcoming autumn internationals for players form it was an opportune time for O'Driscoll to rekindle his affinity with the competition. And while he refuses to get carried away O'Driscoll hints at more to come from both him and Leinster.

"We were pleased with the first half, but in the second we took the foot off the pump and they really came at us," he said. "That's a little bit disappointing, certainly there's plenty to keep working on, but the one thing we hadn't done in previous games in the Celtic League is take our opportunities."

O'Driscoll is set on regaining his best form and in doing so putting his hand up for selection for what would be his third Lions tour, following Australia in 2001 and New Zealand in 2005. "It's a distant thought at the moment, and anyone who has played any amount seasons of professional rugby knows how long they are," he said.

"Of course the Lions is that carrot at the end of the season but there's so much rugby to be played in the interim that you just want to focus on that and make sure that you stay fit and try and build some form, so that you can give yourself an opportunity to be selected."

One question that will almost certainly arise as the Lions draws nearer is whether or not O'Driscoll will be in contention for the captain's armband for the second time. Certainly there appears to be unfinished business for him in the role. His tenure as skipper in 2005 was ended by a dislocated shoulder resulting from All Blacks Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu's spear tackle only seconds into the first test at Lancaster Park.

Early predictions as to the identity of the potential Lions captain have generally landed with Wales skipper Ryan Jones or O'Driscoll's Ireland team-mate Paul O'Connell, but few would discount a fit and ready O'Driscoll as a worthy candidate.

"I'm sure it's something I wouldn't turn down if it arose, but to be honest it isn't something I've thought hugely about," he said. "There are plenty of issues with a new setup in Ireland and the Heineken Cup to be dealt with before then.

"When that time does arrive though, if the question got asked it is something I'd take with two hands."

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