Lions Test Team To Face South Africa

British and Irish Lions: Lee Byrne, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’ Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Ugo Monye, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, Jamie Heaslip, Paul Wallace, Tom Croft, Paul O’Connell, Alun Wyn Jones, Phil Vickery, Lee Mears, Gethin Jenkins

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Donnacha O’ Callaghan, Martyn Williams, Harry Ellis, Ronan O’ Gara, Rob Kearney

Pretty much as expected although not maybe as we might have hoped, with the exception of O’ Callaghan on the bench. Shaw and Hines are unlucky to miss out.

So that’s a Jones count of 3, a Phil and a Phillips, a Rob and a Roberts, two Toms, two Pauls and two Jamies, one Ugo and one Gethin on which the hopes of these small islands are pinned. And of course not a Scot in sight, but other than Nathan we can’t really complain based on form shown…

And just for balance, here is the South African team:

South Africa: Francois Steyn; JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.
Replacements: Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Carstens, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Ricky Januarie, Jaque Fourie, Morne Steyn.

In announcing the team, Geech also mentioned that Euan Murray’s injury should keep him out beyond the tour, so they may look for a replacement. Unlikely to be a Scot though, so our representation back down to 3. Hooky is still in with a shout if he recovers from his head knock.