OKelly will make his 63rd international appearance against Italy on Saturday, equalling the cap record for an Irish lock forward held by McBride and his current form suggests there will be more Test starts to come.

He won a mass of plaudits for his display against England at Twickenham 12 days ago - coach Eddie OSullivan described it as one of the players best outings in a green shirt - and at 29 he still has plenty of fuel in the tank.

Mike Gibsons 69-cap Ireland record is now within reach but for OKelly the prospect of matching Ballymena hardman McBride is difficult enough to take in and he is humble about reaching the milestone.

Its hard to believe that Ive won so many caps in so many years, but if McBride was playing today he would have 100. Its a fantastic achievement and Im finding it hard to believe that Im on the same stat as Willie, he said.

But its only one stat of many - I have another two Lions tours to go and would have to captain one to get anywhere near what he achieved in the game. Im really happy that Ive equalled his record though.

McBride was as tough as they come, the epitome of a tight forward, and sealed his reputation during the 1974 Lions tour to South Africa where he instigated the infamous 99 call.

The Lions won three of the four Test matches against the Springboks - the last encounter was drawn - and left their opponents battered and humiliated, with McBride providing the inspiration throughout.

Such was his aura, he was asked to present the 2001 Lions with their shirts before the first Test against the Wallabies and this provided OKelly with his only sight of the Irish great.

Ive seen Willie at a distance. I was with the British Lions in Australia when he made a speech before the opening Test. He gave a team talk and strong words were said. He had a real air about him, he said.

But I have never had the chance to shake his hand and tell him that one day I was going to equal his record! Ill try to get hold of him and have a chat so that I can pass over my respects to him.