- Date of Birth16 / 08 / 1956
- Lions Tours1980
- International CapsIreland / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsSt Mary's College Rathmines
- Lions Origin ClubsSt Marys College, Leinster
Rod O’Donnell played his only Test in the first game of the four-match 1980 series against South Africa, a game the Lions narrowly lost by four points.
The young full-back played three Tour games prior to the first Test and scored his only Lions points against an SAR Federation XV with a drop goal.
The Irishman was dropped for injury replacement Andy Irvine for the second Test before suffering an injury himself tackling Danie Gerber during a match against the Young Springboks.
The injury unfortunately ended O’Donnell’s career at just 23 years of age and he was unable to add to the five caps he had earned for Ireland having made his debut against Australia in Brisbane the summer before.