The 31-year-old Brennan last played for Ireland against Samoa in 2001, but Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward has revealed that he could be considered for the trip to face the All Backs.

Woodward has been talking to former and current players about the potential make-up of his 44 man squad, and Brennans name has cropped up on several occasions.

''If you speak to the players there's a huge amount of respect for the guy,'' Woodward told the Sunday Independent.

''Players tend to know better than most coaches. It's not just the Irish, but Welsh and English players as well.''

The former Dublin milkman moved from Leinster to Toulouse in 2003 and immediately picked up a Heineken Cup winner's medal in an all-French final against Perpignan at Lansdowne Road.

I haven't heard a bad word said against Trevor Brennan, said Woodward.

Woodward - renowned for his meticulous approach to coaching - is ensuring his preparations for the trip to New Zealand in June are as thorough as possible.

''I've spoken to quite a few players, and they probably don't know what they're actually saying when we're having these conversations,'' he said.

''But you talk about certain players and they'll say if they think they're up to scratch or that they don't want them in their team.

''I haven't heard a bad word said against Trevor, which, considering he has a pretty tough guy reputation, is, to me, impressive.''