McGeechan to reveal Lions line-up
Ian McGeechan will today name his first team of the British and Irish Lions’ 2009 South Africa tour.
It is not expected to include any players from Leinster, Leicester or Northampton – a seven-strong contingent – following their appearances in European finals last weekend.
But while the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Tom Croft are set to make a delayed entry – probably against the Golden Lions next Wednesday – head coach McGeechan will still field a powerful side for Saturday’s tour opener against a Royal XV in Rustenburg.
Wales stars Stephen Jones and Martyn Williams are among the probable starters as the Lions look to make a flying start when they tackle opponents largely drawn from Vodacom Cup winners the Griquas.
And there is an eagerness to get started following a week’s preparation in Surrey and three days of acclimatising in Johannesburg.
“It has been about getting to know everyone, and then just ironing out a few things about what we want to achieve and how we want to play,” said Bath and England hooker Lee Mears, a first-time Lions tourist.
“It has been brilliant meeting all the boys and training with them – it’s been a breath of fresh air, everything you expected.
“Playing against a lot of these guys is very different to sitting down to dinner with them!”
Mears, especially following the withdrawal of injured Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery, is favourite to land the number two shirt against South Africa on June 20.
McGeechan will formulate his line-up for the first Test from a six-match schedule that starts this weekend, followed by appointments with the Golden Lions, Cheetahs, Sharks, Western Province and Southern Kings.
And making that Test team is the goal for every player summoned by McGeechan to Springbok territory.
“You hope one day you could be a Lion,” added Mears.
“It’s a dream to become a professional rugby player, then to become an England player, and it dawns on you that if you play well and if you are in the right place at the right time, you might get a chance with the Lions.
“It’s in the back of your mind during the Six Nations, but you never realise it is actually going to happen.
“In international rugby, it’s such a fine line between winning and losing.
“When you play club rugby, some days the boys are on fire and you score five or six tries, whereas Test rugby is all about being a little bit more clinical and tighter – that’s why it is called the Test match arena.
“Coming together with the Lions, all the best players of the four nations, is amazing.
“It is about getting ready in a short amount of time. We are all buying into it, and we know the games will come thick and fast.”
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