But injury limited his first Test performance to just 38 minutes before a separate setback in training brought his Lions adventure to a premature end prior to the second Test in Pretoria.

Now preparing for the new season with his region, Byrne admits that it will be hard for any rugby experience to top touring with the Lions.

"There's obviously more pressure on me now and it is hard to deal with it when you come back from the Lions," Byrne told the Western Mail.

"I was talking to Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins and they both said you go on a massive downer because you have been right to the top of the game.

"But I think it's all about pushing on now. You need a goal and for me that is doing well with the Ospreys and Wales and winning some trophies along the way."

Bryne has spent the back end of the summer attempting to recover from injury in time for the early part of the season and the former Scarlets player is confident that 2009/10 can be a successful season for the star-studded Ospreys.

"I'm just trying to slowly get back into things and looking forward to getting a rugby ball in my hands again," added Byrne.
"I have had five weeks without any running at all so the first session back was definitely a shock to the system.

"But my foot has settled down nicely and I just need to keep on top of things, so that I can start the season whenever I'm needed by the coaches.

"I believe this can be our season. With the signings we have made, we should do some damage this year. It's up to the players to make sure that happens."