A host of British & Lions returned to club action over the weekend but few had a greater impact than Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard, who admitted he is still on a high from down under.
Hibbard, who played a crucial role in the Lions’ series victory over Australia, lined up alongside fellow tourists Adam Jones and Alun-Wyn Jones when Ospreys hosted Edinburgh on Saturday.
And the Welsh side were invigorated by their presence, romping to a 44-10 win at the Liberty Stadium – Hibbard even grabbed two tries for himself.
The 29-year-old was delighted to be involved from the start, after coming off the bench in Ospreys’ opening two RaboDirect Pro12 fixtures, and is eager to maintain his Lions form throughout the season.
"The performance says it all," said Hibbard. "All the Lions boys were raring to go out and play. The Lions was such a high that you still want to stay up there.
"You don't want to drop off, whether you're playing in the Rabo, the Heineken or internationals.
"We're pleased with the start we made. We knew we had to pick up some points in the first two away games and now we have bagged a bonus point at home. We've learned from last season, when we lost the opening three games on the bounce."
However, amidst the excitement and triumph Hibbard’s day was tinged with an element of disappointment, as he was prevented from picking up a hat-trick of tries.
The hooker touched down twice inside 53 minutes but was hauled off before the hour mark denying him to opportunity to join an elite club of Ospreys hat-trick scorers, which includes other Lions Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe.
"I'm gutted they took me off, because I was on for a hat-trick," he added. "Still, the main thing was the team won.
"It's been a perfect start for us and to get two tries myself is happy days. Overall, I'm very happy."
