THE Lions arrived here yesterday afternoon, from Cape Town, where on Saturday they made it three wins out of three by defeating Western province. But they have lost a player as outside half Paul Grayson will be returning to England today, thus confirming the suspicion that all has not been well with him from the outset of the tour.

As expected, Grayson will be replaced by fellow Englishman Mike Catt who will fly in from Argentina where he is currently with the England squad. He is expected here either tomorrow night or Wednesday morning.

Grayson was not fit for the Lions' first match against Eastern Province and played against Border on Wednesday, even though he aggravated the injury, a muscular problem in the hip, in training on Tuesday but did not report it. "We need 35 fit players to complete a very tough schedule," said Cotton, "and Paul is clearly not fit. He did not report the fact that he had aggravated the injury on Tuesday. Sometimes emotion overrules a clear thought process in these situations.

"I suppose from time to time we have all played when not fully fit. We are disappointed for him. There is no suggestion that he will be fined, but he will not be receiving the £10,000 tour fee. But he will get a proportion of it."

A visibly shattered Grayson said: "I can run around and perform all the other duties, but when it comes to the final push, something is wrong. I felt I could get through the match last Wednesday. To say that I am disappointed is to put my feelings very mildly."

There is also some concern about wing Nick Beal. He is having treatment for tendonitis and shin splints.

Pleased though the Lions were with the win over Western Province, they were not happy with the scrummaging and that has to be a cause for concern. Having played their first three matches at sea level, the Lions are now on the high veldt with its attendant altitude problems and face three very severe tests over the next 11 days. On Wednesday they travel to meet South East Transvaal, now known as Mpumalanga, then on Saturday they face Northern Transvaal here in Pretoria and on Wednesday week take on Tranvaal, who play under the name of Guateng Lions.

"The next 11 days are akin to going into the Bermuda Triangle," said Cotton. Certainly, they will be revealing and on Wednesday in South East Transvaal they meet a side now rated fifth in South Africa.

Ireland will certainly have representation on the team. It is anticipated that Beal will play and his fitness will be monitored.