Keith Wood became the sixth Ireland player to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame last night in London.
The talismanic hooker, who captained Ireland for 33 of his 58 Test caps, was honoured as one of the game's great servants at a glittering Induction dinner at The Brewery in London's Chiswell Street.
This year's Inductees included Wood, winner of the IRB World Player of the Year award in 2001, Martin Johnson (England), John Eales (Australia), Francois Pienaar (South Africa), Ian McGeechan (Scotland), Phil Bennett (Wales), Grant Fox (New Zealand), Naas Botha (South Africa), Fred Allen (New Zealand) and Andre Boniface (France).
The 33-year-old Wood, who ended his playing days at the last World Cup, said: "I feel very honoured to join such a select group of players in the Hall of Fame. It is a phenomenal feeling.
"Looking back over my playing career I consider myself fortunate to have been part of top-class rugby when it was both amateur and professional."
The five Irish players already in the Hall of Fame are Mike Gibson (1964-79), Willie John McBride (1962-75) and Tony O'Reilly (1955-70), who were all inducted in 1997, while Jack Kyle (1947-58) in 1999, and Syd Millar (1958-70) in 2003, have also been admitted to the 'exclusive club' in recent years.
Legendary fly-half Kyle, who inspired Ireland to a famous Grand Slam in 1948, was on hand last night to watch Wood's induction.
