O'Kelly is on course to join the ranks of rugby centurions although groin and knee injuries have restricted the Leinster veteran's contribution to province and country over the last few years. The lock has played at three World Cups, in Wales in 1999, Australia in 2003 and France in 2007. He was a tourist with the British and Irish Lions in 2001 and was selected for his second tour in 2005, only to miss out with injury. He goes into the 2009 RBS 6 Nations having not featured for Ireland since the last championship. O'Kelly made his debut against New Zealand in 1997.