Liosn tour manager Gerald Davies looks pleased to be back on home soil at Heathrow © Getty Images

As with the end of any tour, be it mini rugby or the international stage, this one ended with players and coaches embracing and offering thanks in one final, emotionally charged act of what has been a rollercoaster of a tour. Those fans lucky enough to share their flight did their best to catch one more memento on their cameras and mobile phones and the Lions were just as obliging as ever.

And so the curtain falls on the 2009 British & Irish Lions' tour to South Africa - a truly memorable experience. I've been lucky enough to travel the world writing about this sport for the last ten years but this was my first Lions tour. Tour veteran Brian O'Driscoll recently remarked that playing for the Lions is "like a drug" in the fact that you can't get enough and I have to say that having witnessed this latest tour at close quarters I can understand his sentiments.

There remains something special about the Lions and I wouldn't mind betting that those who question their place in the modern game have not had the pleasure of following their fortunes at first hand. The spirit of the Lions is infectious and now wonder head coach Ian McGeechan urged the doubters to embrace the Lions just once.

"I just wish more of those people who don't want to make time for the Lions would come out and actually experience a Lions tour," said McGeechan.

But it is not as if the Lions as a brand are dying. Estimates have varied but it is safe to say at least 30,000 fans made the trip to South Africa and with that kind of commercial clout the Lions will be back bigger and even better in four years time. Let us not underestimate the role played by the Lions' fans in keeping the brand alive. The Lions' shirt is often cited as the greatest prize for British and Irish players and it is that same famous red jersey that appeals to the fans. They admire the players that go into battle wearing it but they come and go through the years - it is the shirt itself, and what it stands for - the history, the tradition - that has the masses hooked.

The 2005 tour of New Zealand was a failure in many ways and although this year's quest also ended in a series defeat the latest batch of Lions managed to repair much of the damage done to their reputation on their last outing. For that, huge credit must go to McGeechan and his tour manager Gerald Davies. They promised to return the Lions to their traditional roots and they did just that - and in doing so made new friends and repaired strained relationships.

I hope you have enjoyed the insight I have been able to offer and that you too have been bitten by the Lions bug. The Lions are back and I for one can't wait for Australia in 2013.

Lions Tour 2009 Awards:

Player of the Tour: Brian O'Driscoll
O'Driscoll bounced back from the disappointment of being passed over for the captaincy with a series of stand out performances. He also showed that you don't need to be skipper to be a leader on and off the field and was also hailed as the team's most potent threat in attack and the benchmark in defence by his captain Paul O'Connell. He formed a superb centre pairing with Jamie Roberts and his physical and mental commitment to the tour was astonishing.

Moment of the Tour: Ronan O'Gara's second Test cameo
The Irishman was immediately blamed for blowing the Lions' series chances with a costly 12-minute performance off the bench in Pretoria while others pointed out his apparent concussion and praised his bravery for refusing to settle for the draw. Either way, O'Gara's missed tackle and then clumsy challenge on Springboks scrum-half Fourie du Preez shaped the destiny of the Test series.

Rising Star: Heinrich Brussow
Springboks openside Heinrich Brussow tormented the Lions in Cheetahs colours during the warm-up clashes and returned to haunt the tourists in the Test series. The form player in his position in this year's Super 14, the 22-year-old capitalized on the arrival of the British & Irish Lions to boost his profile yet further. Word has it that his phone is ringing off the hook with European sides lining up to sign him but in this kind of the SA Rugby are unlikely to allow him to go anywhere.

Try of the Tour: Shane Williams, Lions v South Africa
Williams grabbed two tries in the Lions' victory over their hosts in the third Test in Johannesburg but it is his second that caught the eye - thanks largely to the skill of centre Riki Flutey. The Kiwi-born star chipped over the Boks' defence before beating fullback Zane Kirchner to the ball and off-loading to Williams with a superb piece of handling. A rare moment of magic.

Tackle of the Tour: Jean de Villiers, South Africa v Lions
The Springboks centre denied Lions winger Ugo Monye with an outstanding tackle in the closely-contested first Test in Durban that saw him get his arm under the ball to prevent the touchdown before dislodging the ball.

Quote of the Tour: "I don't think it should have been a card at all."
Springboks coach Peter de Villiersprovided the tour with the majority of its memorable sound bites - most of which were confusing at best. This one however - in the wake of Schalk Burger's yellow card in the opening minute of the second Test in Pretoria - was shocking. Burger was subsequently banned for eight weeks for 'making contact with the eye area' of Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald while De Villiers was forced into an apology for his rant.

	That old McGeechan magic worked wonders again at Ellis Park © Getty Images

OK - this was a second string South Africa side but it contained many of the form players from this year's Super 14 with a point to ahead of the Tri-Nations. This game was also being played at Ellis Park where only one side has claimed victory against the Boks in the last 12 years - a record they are rightly proud of. And the brawl that broke out in the closing stages of the game may well have been a sign of the home side's frustration at that record being tarnished.

What we saw today was the result of some McGeechan magic. The Lions veteran has once again shown his exemplary man-management skills to get this whole squad pulling together towards the same goal. They failed in their quest for a series victory but they dug deep and despite the many changes the hunger was still there. McGeechan indicated that this may well be his last Lions tour (including this year he has played on two tours and coached on five others) but don't be surprised if his name is amongst those linked with the 2013 tour to Australia.

But let us not forget that the Springboks already had the series in the bag thanks to their victories in the first two Tests. In those two games they showed just as much, and perhaps more character than the Lions showed today. Sport is a results business and the hosts produced the goods when it mattered most and should be heartily congratulated for that achievement.

South Africa chose to use today's game to protest at Bakkies Botha's two-week suspension for a dangerous charge in the second Test in Pretoria. They were incensed at what they see as the inconsistency of the judicial system that sees similar incidents go unpunished most weeks. They are right, and have received support on the matter from the Lions, but an occasion as today's match was not the place to air their grievances.

The match gave way to another contest of sorts involving the opposing fans. The aim was to make your way from one end of the pitch to the other to score an imaginary try. The problem was that fans were not allowed on the pitch and an army of stewards were there to stop them. But I'm glad to report that some did manage to escape the clutches of their would-be tacklers who at times looked as half-hearted as the Golden Lions did a few weeks ago. The score appeared to be in the Lions' favour until the stewards got their collective game-heads on but they had to rely on some reckless challenge that may have caught the citing commissioner's eye.

For the final game of the tour I had the honour of sitting next to the Daily Mail's Peter Jackson who was presiding over his last Test match before retirement. The Lions' impressive victory was a fitting tribute to his career that has spanned five decades - many of them at the frontline of the sport - and his contribution to the sport was acknowledged by head coach Ian McGeechan after the game. Enjoy retirement Peter - and thanks for keeping us both informed and entertained.

	Lions prop Phil Vickery can often be found at the bottom of a scrum off the field © Getty Images

Lions prop Phil Vickery is an incredibly popular player. One look into today's press conference at the soul-less Sandton Convention Centre here in Johannesburg would have told you that. The journalists flock to his side whenever he is offered up to the media machine mainly because they know he is good value.

The 33-year-old, a veteran of 77 caps for England and four - soon to be five - Test appearances for the Lions, has seen most things in the game and has experienced both triumph and disaster. And in the words of Kipling he has managed to, "treat those two imposters just the same." Vickery, who led the Lions in their tour clash against Western Province, is honest, rarely ducks the issue and often raises a laugh or two. He knows the power of a good sound bite but is also experienced enough to know not to go too far.

This weekend sees him lock horns with South Africa's Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira once again after coming out very much second best in the first Test clash in Durban. When asked how he had coped with the disappointment of their encounter we got one of the quotes of the tour.

"You know you've had a **** game when you get text messages from your mum, your sister and your Mrs saying that they still love you," said Vickery.

He also offered an amusing behind-the-scenes insight into the battle that was last weekend's second Test at Loftus Versfeld and the humour within the exclusive front row club.

As 23rd man for the match, Vickery found himself in the treatment room doing his best to help fellow props Adam Jones (dislocated shoulder - thanks to a dangerous charge from Boks lock Bakkies Botha) and Gethin Jenkins (clash of heads with Boks winger Bryan Habana). Fearing he was neglecting Jenkins in favour of Jones, he crossed to speak to the Welshman whose "face was caved in" and was covered in blood and stitches. Struggling to speak, Jenkins joked, "Is Nugget [Martyn Williams] playing tight-head?"

Vickery was also confident of a stronger showing against The Beast this weekend where he hopes to exorcise some demones and settle some scores. The weight of hooker Matthew Rees alongside him and lock Simon Shaw behind him should be a huge help this time around.

Lions assistant coach Warren Gatland was also up in front of the media today and revealed that he and head coach Ian McGeechan had engaged in a positive meeting with their South African counterparts - Peter de Villiers and Gary Gold - and Saturday's referee, Stuart Dickinson, the previous night. Interestingly, Gatland had sympathy for the Springboks on the issue of Bakkies Botha's two-week suspension for his dangerous charge on Adam Jones that ended his tour. Gatland and co did not see anything wrong with that specific incident. His actions may well have been questionable but apparently no different to what is usually allowed according to the Kiwi.

Some mixed feedback regarding Naas Botha's comments on Ronan O'Gara that we ran with earlier this week. Whether you agree with him or not, the former Springboks fly-half is a charismatic figure who is not short of an opinion or two. I was lucky enough to spend some time with him after an invite from my Total Rugby colleague Martin Cross. At his home on the outskirts of Pretoria he entertained us with many stories including how he would regularly play for Northern Transvaal on a Saturday afternoon before jumping on a plane to Italy where he would turn out for Rovigo the following day - he would sometimes be forced to get changed in the taxi from the airport but more often than not would play a starring role in both games.

So here we are on the eve of the final game of the tour. Many predicted that we would reach this point with the Springboks already victorious but not one of those expected it to be so close. A total of eight points have separated the team in the last fortnight. Can the Lions rescue something from the series at Ellis Park? I hope so because they deserve something. The Springboks have been the better side but not by much and even they would find it hard to begrudge the visitors a consolation win. Time will tell how focused or generous the hosts are feeling.

	Springboks coach Peter de Villiers continues to enthrall the media in Jo'burg © Getty Images

He admitted he had been 'stupid' over the past few days - not for sharing his outspoken views but for reacting to some of the perceived negative reports from the British & Irish media.

"What a stupid bugger I am," he told reporters. "I've learnt that if they can't win on the field then they will try to win anywhere else they can."

De Villiers is also refusing to change his ways and did nothing to dispel the belief that he is obsessed with his own persona by referring to himself in the third person. "I won't change my style," he said. "If I change my style I change Peter de Villiers and I go back to God and say: 'You made a bad job.'"

Fascinating, amusing and sometimes troubling - but nearly always good copy. He is very much an individual which is a notable character trait but sometimes you think he is a loose cannon. The pressure of being the first black Springboks coach and to a certain extent a political appointment must weigh heavy at times.

He is blessed with an immensely talented team and his record of 11 wins in 15 internationals since taking over from Rugby World Cup winner Jake White is also impressive. But you sense that De Villiers feels he is untouchable and not even a atrocious on-field record could hasten his demise. SA Rugby chiefs are obliged to give their man time for fear of further political repercussions. His controversial comments must cause concern but at the end of the day sport is a results business and as long as his side keeps winning - and they are many people's favourites for the Tri-Nations - he will continue to have the support of his union, his team and most importantly the fans.

In a related point, SA Rugby issued a statement today clarifying the judicial ruling on Schalk Burger's eight-week ban. They were keen to stress that the flanker was cleared of eye-gouging Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald in the opening minute of the second Test but found guilty of 'making contact with the eye area' of the Irishman. The statement also included an apology from Burger to his team and their fans but not to the Lions or Fitzgerald.

De Villiers has predictably made several changes to his side for Saturday's final clash in Johannesburg with the series already in the bag. It is obvious his mind is now focused on the forthcoming Tri-Nations and his selection - and his desire to give all his players the chance to play against the Lions - does de-value the fixture to a certain extent. Perhaps they should have been allowed to play for their provinces then, apart from the Bulls' players, there would not be such an issue. However, it remains a formidable line-up - such is their strength in depth.

The Lions, ravaged by injury, will limp into the Ellis Park clash with a new-look team. Of note is Phil Vickery's return to the front row for the first time since his mauling at the hands of South Africa's Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira in the first Test. As a result of McGeechan's final tour selection winger Tommy Bowe (at centre for Saturday's clash), fly-half Stephen Jones, No.8 Jamie Heaslip, scrum-half Mike Phillips and captain Paul O'Connell will be the only players to have started all three Tests. How the Lions must wish that number was higher.