There is still a long way to go for cricket in Ireland but the sport these days is well-run and ambitious.

BBC: Irish cricket moves up the batting order

"I dread to think how many hours of my life I spent sitting in that corridor outside his office waiting for the nod to go in, " Hamilton told BBC Sport.

BBC: CHOOSE A SPORT

Kolkata skipper Sourav Ganguly told BBC Sport he was in no doubt as to which player he would go for.

BBC: Flintoff & Pietersen go under the hammer

And it has been a massive journey for the Croydon-raised front rower who quit the sport when at Saracens in 2000 to go travelling to Australia and America.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Chuter wary of Croke Park factor