Lions Tour Manager Andy Irvine revealed the fixtures at an event in Cardiff and declared that the selection of the Lions Head Coach and the rest of their backroom staff would be announced in April or May. He also went on to muddy the waters, claiming “It is such a highly-prized job that we will not be short of candidates. To play for the Lions is the ultimate, and to coach the Lions is pretty close to that. We would like Declan Kidney, Andy Robinson and Warren Gatland to all be available. I think all three would be available if required.”

Whoever takes charge will have to be someone with a sufficiently large name to draw attention to this event, particularly after the amount of publicity and television coverage the World Cup finals drew. They will of course not struggle to find sponsors or stations willing to be part of the Lions three ring circus (HSBC are still along for the ride) but after seeing England being publicly disgraced at the World Cup, Scotland doing poorly and Ireland and Wales drawing plaudits something needs to be done to tie these groups together.

This could involve the consideration of heavyweight names. Graham Henry has said the likeliness of him coaching in a test environment next year is “zero out of ten”. But what about the year after? It would mean he only briefly has to leave his hemisphere, travelling as an advisor would, before jetting back down under. He certainly could redeem himself after his last term as the Lions coach in Australia…

Of course the other option is to keep some stability within the Lions selections. Irvine said “continuity is an important thing, and with such a tight schedule it does help if the coaches were involved in the previous tour” before musing that “there is also a view that it is good to spread the Lions experience a bit.”

This could leave the door open for Sir ian McGeechan to reprise his favourite role or at least for Warren Gatland to step up from forwards coach to director of all rugby issues.

It may seem early to consider coaching, but with Lions chairman Gerald Davies admitting “Lions tours are hugely popular and outside of the Rugby World Cup [they] represent one of the game’s major showpieces, with global media coverage and ticket sales testament to their popularity” you know that they are making a decision that will get people excited and thinking about flashbulbs. They will definitely be considering candidates right now.

 Here are the official dates and host towns for the Lions tour to Australia 2013:

Sat June 1 – The British & Irish Lions v Barbarians (Hong Kong)

Wed June 5 – The British & Irish Lions v Western Force (Perth)

Sat June – The British & Irish Lions v Queensland Reds (Brisbane)

Wed June 12 – The British & Irish Lions v Combined NSW & Queensland Country (Newcastle)

Sat June 15 - The British & Irish Lions v NSW Waratahs (Sydney)

Tue June 18 – The British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies (Canberra)

Sat June 22 – The British & Irish Lions v Australia (Brisbane)

Tue June 25 – The British & Irish Lions v Melbourne Rebels (Melbourne)

Sat June 29 – The British & Irish Lions v Australia (Melbourne)

Sat July 6 - The British & Irish Lions v Australia (Sydney)

Pre World War 1 – David Bedell-Sivright (Cambridge University, West of Scotland, Edinburgh University) – Debuting against Wales in 1900, David Bedell-Sivright went on to win 22 Scotland caps. A pioneer of the wing forward role, he was regarded as the hardest man to play for Scotland and is the only Scot ever to play in three Triple Crown winning sides (1901, 1903 and 1907). He was the only player to tour with both the 1903 and 1904 British Isles sides (captaining the 1904 Australasian tour, aged 23) and also captained Scotland. After he retired from international rugby he became the 1909 Scottish heavyweight amateur boxing champion.  A surgeon by profession, he died on active service at Gallipoli.

World War 1-World War 2 – GPS Macpherson – Phil Macpherson, a centre/stand-off from Oxford University and Edinburgh Academicals won 26 caps for Scotland. Making his international debut against France in 1922, he played in Scotland’s matches that season and went on to score his first try for his country against Wales in 1924.  In 1925, he captained Scotland to their first Grand Slam.  Rated the most brilliant attacking centre of his era bar none, he played his last game against England in 1932.

1945-1959 – Ken Scotland, a full-back/stand-off from Heriot’s, Cambridge University, Leicester and Aberdeenshire, won 32 caps for his country.  Both his debut and his last international came against France at Colombes, the former in 1957 and the latter in 1965.  He was a world-class and gifted individual, who set new standards for full-back play, pioneering the counter-attack role, truly a player ahead of his time.  One of the stars of the 1959 Lions tour to Australasia, scoring 12 tries, he also represented Scotland at cricket.

1960s – Sandy Carmichael (West of Scotland) – he was one of the speediest, most versatile props ever to pull on an international jersey.  Making his debut against Ireland in 1967, he went on to earn 50 caps, a record for a Scottish forward at the time, and was notably involved in two heroic try-saving tackles in the victory over France in 1969.  He played for the British Lions on the 1971 tour to New Zealand and 1974 tour of South Africa. One of the bravest and fairest players to grace the game, his last international was against Ireland in 1978.

1970s – Andy Irvine (Heriot’s) – Andy Irvine MBE earned 51 caps – 15 as captain and scored 273 points for Scotland. One of rugby’s greatest running full-backs made his international debut against New Zealand in 1972.  With blistering pace and attacking from deep, he could turn off either foot and produce a thrilling display from nothing.  Scotland’s first real superstar player, he also took part in television’s Superstars competition in 1978 and 1982, finishing respectively third and second in the British final.  Selected for the British Lions against South Africa (1974 and 1980) and New Zealand (1977), he scored a record five tries in a single game against King Country during the trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud.

1980s – Finlay Calder (Stewart’s-Melville FP) – Uncompromising in both attack and defence, Finlay Calder made his Scotland debut against France in 1986.  The openside flanker went on to win 34 caps, his final international occurring against New Zealand in 1991.  Gritty, determined and a ruthless tackler, alongside Derek White and John Jeffrey, he made up of Scotland’s greatest back-rows.  He was the first Scot to captain the British Lions since Mike Campbell-Lamerton in 1966, the first winning captain since Willie-John McBride in 1974 and the only 20th century captain to lead the team to a series victory after losing the opening Test.

1990s – Gavin Hastings (Watsonians, Cambridge University and London Scottish) – Gavin Hastings was chosen by a public vote from the following candidates – Scott Hastings, David Sole, Gary Armstrong, Bryan Redpath and Alan Tait.  Gavin made his international debut against France in 1986, an OBE, he won 61 caps for his country.  A world-class full-back he was Scotland’s leading points scorer of his generation, was pivotal in Tony Stanger’s match-winning try in the 1990 Grand Slam decider and in 1995, scored the try and conversion that gave Scotland their first victory in Paris since 1969.  Solid in defence in attack and superb with the boot, he captained both Scotland and the British Lions, taking his final bow at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.

The 2000s – Ian McGeechan (Headingley) – Sir Ian Robert McGeechan OBE made his international debut as a player against New Zealand in 1972.  At centre/stand-off he was capped 32 times for Scotland and toured with the British Lions in 1974 and 1977, playing in all eight Tests.  He played his last international in 1979 and soon moved into coaching, becoming assistant Scotland coach in 1986.  Promoted to coach in 1988 his team won a Grand Slam victory in the Five Nations Championship in 1990.  British Lions coach in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2009 (and part of the Lions coaching team in 2005), he rejoined Scotland as head coach in 1999.  He is currently performance director with Bath.

Special award – Ned Haig, the butcher from the Borders, whose brainchild was rugby 7s.  In 1883 Ned’s club, Melrose was reportedly suffering a shortage of cash and during a club meeting, Ned – who was then captain – suggested putting on a rugby tournament as part of a fund-raising sports day.  There wasn’t enough time to play several full XV rugby games in one afternoon, so teams were pared down to seven men, with match times reduced to 15 minutes.  Ned Haig’s inspiration is now played worldwide and has been instrumental in seeing rugby return to the Olympic Games.

Special award – Bill McLaren – the peerless Voice of Rugby, who for 50 years provided the most vivid and wonderful TV commentaries on the game. Bill was synonymous with rugby across the globe. His overwhelming enthusiasm was matched only by his vast knowledge, incredible attention to detail and consummate impartiality.  Awarded the MBE, OBE and CBE, the Freedom of Scottish Rugby in 2000 and the first non-international player to be inducted into the IRB’s Hall of Fame in 2001, Bill switched off his microphone for the last time in 2002.  After a long illness he passed away peacefully in January 2010 but the affection with which he was held was underlined at a moving tribute night at Murrayfield in March.

Special award – Jim Telfer – Traversing touchline for both his country and the British Lions, James William Telfer has made an immense contribution to rugby at all levels for the last half century.  As a player he represented Scotland and the Lions, most memorably scoring the winning try for Scotland at Colombes in Paris in 1969.  A teacher by profession, he was a natural leader whose authoritative air commanded respect.  In coaching he was a pivotal figure in both Scotland’s 1984 and 1990 Grand Slams and coached Scotland to their final Five Nations Championship triumph in 1999.  He was head coach of the Lions in New Zealand in 1993 but, perhaps his finest hour occurred on the 1997 tour to South Africa, where as assistant coach to his cohort McGeechan, he cajoled a series-winning performance from the Lions pack.

Special award – Gordon Brown – Legendary Scotland second-row and a fully-paid up component of the Mean Machine; a triple Lion and fierce competitor; a ruthless assassin on the pitch and a true gentleman off the field of play – Gordon Lamont Brown, or, as most knew him, Broon frae Troon.  Born into sport, the son of a Scotland goalkeeper, nephew of footballers and younger brother of Scotland lock P C Brown, Gordon made his debut in a win against South Africa in 1969 aged just 22. Immovable in the scrum yet dynamic in the loose, Gordon went on to cement his place in Scotland’s front five of the early 1970s – the mean machine that featured Ian McLauchlan, Frank Laidlaw, Sandy Carmichael and Alastair McHarg.  In all he won 30 caps for Scotland and a further eight Test appearances for the British Lions between 1971 and 1977.  The same qualities that he brought to the rugby field, he also displayed in a heroic battle against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, sadly passing away in 2001, aged just 53.

Nathan Hines: “Rugby of the highest class”

Hard to disagree with most of it, especially the views on PDV’s reaction to the gouging and second test disciplinary controversy. Although it now seems big Nathan won’t be heading back to Perpignan post summer holidays…

British & Irish Lions versus South Africa on Saturday 4th July

15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
14. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
13. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) Captain
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)

Replacements:
16. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
17. John Hayes (Munster/Ireland)
18. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
19. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
20. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
22. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)

Well done to Ross Ford who probably showed enough in his game on Tuesday to sneak on to the bench. Monye ruthlessly punished for missing his chances on Saturday. It’s all on the line now. Apart from Ellis, it’s a pretty strong bench too. Sorry to see Hook miss out as I think he’s looked sharp and welsh “wizard” Shane Williams is given one last chance…

Lions: Kearney, Bowe, O’ Driscoll, Roberts, Fitzgerald, Jones , Phillips,  Jenkins,  Rees,  A Jones, Shaw, O’Connell, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip

Replacements: Ford, Sheridan, Wyn Jones, Williams, Ellis, O’Gara, S Williams

Schalk “Cheese” Burger has been brought back in for the impressive Broussow, otherwise the frontline team remains pretty much as is.

South Africa: F Steyn (Sharks); JP Pietersen (Sharks), A Jacobs (Sharks), J de Villiers (Stormers), B Habana (Bulls); R Pienaar (Sharks), F du Preez (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), J Smit (Sharks), B Botha (Bulls), V Matfield (Bulls), S Burger (Stormers), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls).

Replacements: C Ralepelle (Bulls), D Carstens (Sharks), A Bekker (Stormers), D Rossouw (Bulls), H Brussow (Cheetahs), J Fourie (Lions), M Steyn (Bulls).

Euan Murray would have fixed Lions scrum, says Victor Matfield

Thanks to Mark for pointing out the article, may his ankles never have invisible fractures.

British & Irish Lions versus Emerging Springboks on Tuesday 22nd June

15. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
14. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
12. Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)
10. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland) Captain
9. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
4. Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
3. John Hayes (Munster/Ireland)
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
1. Tim Payne (London Wasps/England)

Replacements:
16. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
19. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
20. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
21. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)
22. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)

Next up for Robinson is Fiji in the autumn, and his job truly begins. But for now, most of Scotland’s players find their seasons at an end – time for a holiday.

Apart, of course from the doughty Scots holding up the tail end of the Lions squad, who may yet have a role to play. A great – if wildly inconsistent test match on Saturday saw the Lions blown off the park in the first half, only to run back on and do the same to the Springboks for most of the second half. What a difference a scrum makes, and Euan Murray must consider himself very unlucky to pick up an injury at the exact moment his services are required. The bulk of Hines could also be used in the second row. Mike Phillips did little wrong apart from going the same way too often but Blair could be lucky and see the bench in the remaining Test matches. The Lions could definitely have won that test match, but can they win the next one? The challenge will only increase as the Boks aim to plug the holes in their defence left by our centres and will probably leave their front-line troops on the pitch until the game is definitely won, rather than until they think it is won.