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Brian O'Driscoll has been handed the opportunity to erase the painful memory of his last game as Lions captain when he was given the armband for the clash against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
O'Driscoll was the 2005 Lions captain in New Zealand but was brutally spear-tackled in the first minute of the opening Test match and did not play again on the tour due to a severe shoulder dislocation.
Worryingly, the man who led Ireland to Grand Slam glory this season and also helped Leinster to Heineken Cup glory goes into the second match of this gruelling tour with more doubts about his shoulder.
But the centre, who is standing in for first-choice skipper Paul O'Connell, insists he is managing the injury properly and it will not be a factor on Wednesday night.
He also claimed there were no lingering mental scars from the incident four years ago.
O'Driscoll, whose last Lions game came on 25 June 2005, said: "I am delighted to be leading the team out and I didn't fear never getting the chance again.
"I always hoped I would get an opportunity on this tour to captain the team and understood why Paul O'Connell was given the job because he's as good a leader as anyone.
"This tour isn't about to put any wrongs right. It's just another opportunity to pull on that red jersey which is always exciting for any player.
"My good form this year is because I've been injury free and winning does become a habit and we have a lot of winners in this squad.
"I'm very happy that my rehab is dealing with the shoulder."
England centre Riki Flutey was today sent for a scan on the knee he injured helping the Lions win their opening fixture and his availability for Saturday's match against the Cheetahs could be in doubt.
However, there was better news for Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny, who has been told he can fly out to join the Lions squad tonight after successfully completing his two-week rehabilitation on a thigh injury.
England wing Ugo Monye has been included in a powerful team for Wednesday which also features Leicester flanker Tom Croft and London Wasps' prop Phil Vickery.
Monye is well aware of the famous solo try scored by John Bentley for the Lions 12 years ago in this fixture and said: "I would love to score a try like that and I know the coaches want us to produce that X-Factor and there are a lot of players capable of doing that. I can't wait to get out there."
