BRITISH & Irish Lions rugby stars will pack down on the Wentworth fairways during the upcoming BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am later this month.

Lions trio Brian O’Driscoll, Stuart Hogg and Paul O’Connell - key members of the 2013 squad that triumphed in Australia - will join a star-studded list of sportsmen and celebrities taking part in the fundraising event on Wednesday, May 25.

All three Lions players will be making their debuts at Wentworth along with England’s most capped captain, Will Carling.

They will be joined by a host of other stars from the world of rugby including Ben Foden, Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Austin Healey, Andy Nicol, Mike Tindall and Keith Wood.

O’Driscoll, widely considered to be one of the great players of his generation, plays off a single-figure handicap following his retirement in 2014 with 141 international caps and 47 tries to his name.

The 37-year-old, who captained Ireland a record 84 times and led the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, said: “It’s a great honour to be asked to play in BMW PGA Pro-Am – it’s a wonderful event.

“Nothing can beat the buzz of playing elite-level sport, so performing in front of crowds again will be fun – I’d better start practising.”

O’Connell, 36, is also relishing the chance to play on Wentworth’s famous West Course after injury ended his 15-year playing career earlier this year.

Since then, the three-time Six Nations champion and two-time Heineken Cup winner has been honing his golf skills to prepare for this month’s event.

“I can’t wait for May to come around,” admitted O’Connell, who won 115 international caps, competed in four World Cups and went on three Lions tours.

“One of the upsides of retirement is that I’ve been able to get out on the golf course a bit more, and I’m looking forward to being back in a competitive sporting environment again.

“I’m used to playing in front of crowds, but trying to swing a club and hole a putt is a lot different from calling line-outs, so I’ll be out of my comfort zone for sure, but I’m going to make sure I enjoy what will be a fantastic experience.”

Scotland and Glasgow Warriors full-back Hogg was named Player of the Championship in the 2016 Six Nations and he will be hoping his golf skills can thrill the crowds as much as his peerless attacking rugby style.

“I used to play a lot of golf when I was growing up,” said the 23-year-old. “I’m more competitive on the golf course now than ever so I can’t wait to take on Wentworth.

“It may all be a bit of fun for a great cause, but I’m definitely going to try my best – when there are English, Irish and Welsh players around, as a Scot I’m programmed to want to beat them.”

Championship director, Jamie Birkmyre, added: “We are incredibly excited to be welcoming such world class rugby talent to the BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am, which has become a real fixture on the sporting and social calendar.”

A number of celebrities are also set to compete in the Pro-Am including One Direction singer and all-round golf nut, Niall Horan.

Last year, mainly thanks to the generosity of the professionals, celebrities and the Tour Players Foundation, the day raised in excess of £35,000 for charity.

Advanced tickets available for just £13 at www.bmw-pga.com or by calling the hotline on 01344 840550.

The BMW PGA Championship offers six days of high quality entertainment, including official practice day, celebrity Pro-Am and four rounds of competition from May 26-29.