British and Irish Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll has admitted that he is excited by the prospect of teaming up with Manu Tuilagi for the match against Western Force on Wednesday.

Head coach Warren Gatland announced on Monday that both men would come into the lineup for their second match of the tour, with the Ireland international also captaining the side in the absence of Sam Warburton.

However, after Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies's impressive performance as a pair in the 59-8 win over the Barbarians on Saturday, O'Driscoll knows that he and Tuilagi have to put in a special display.

"It is a very exciting prospect playing with him," O'Driscoll told Sky Sports News. "He has got a really good range to his game. People see the strong ball-carrier in him and destructive tackler when he makes contact, but he has an array of skills that probably don't get the credit they deserve.

"It is definitely an exciting feeling partnering him and I am looking forward to our first outing.

"We are very, very strong in the centre. The two [Welsh] boys played well in very difficult conditions and now the baton is passed to myself and Manu to try to stake our claim."

The Lions face Western Force in Perth, Australia on Wednesday.