Rugby Digest/SPEAR TACKLE: Brian O'Driscoll last night criticised the International Rugby Board for not condemning the tackle that ended his Lions tour until amateur footage they had been sitting on was broadcast by Sky television.
O'Driscoll dislocated his right shoulder just 41 seconds into the Lions' first Test against New Zealand after a tackle from All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and hooker Keven Mealamu he describes as a "slam-dunk".
The IRB's independent citing officer, Willem Venter, decided neither player had a case to answer and took no action at the time.
But the amateur footage, shot from the opposite angle to the television coverage, lends weight to the argument O'Driscoll was the victim of a spear tackle.
And it was only last Thursday - two days after Sky broadcast the pictures - that IRB chairman Syd Millar announced the issue would be discussed at a referees' forum and spoke out against spear tackles.
Millar said: "The entire rugby community, including the IRB, is sorry that Brian suffered serious injury in the match and the IRB is determined . . . such incidents do not occur again."
O'Driscoll was not looking for an apology and has drawn a line under the incident - but the footage confirmed for him how badly the IRB had reacted.
"The video didn't change anything - it was conclusive the IRB made an error in saying there was nothing in it," he said. "They had it for a period of time and only condemned the tackle when it came to light in the public arena - there are definitely question marks as to why it was only then."
FRANCE: Toulouse lock and captain Fabien Pelous has regained fitness and will lead France in their Test against Australia in Marseille on Sunday. The 31-year-old missed Les Bleus' tour in South Africa and Australia with a knee injury.
Team-mate Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who suffered a slight injury during the 15-15 draw against Wasps in the Heineken European Cup on Sunday, will also start the Marseille game as a scrumhalf.
Seven Toulouse players have been selected in France's starting line-up for the game. Saracens full back Thomas Castaignede, who is back in the squad two years after winning the last of his 43 caps, will start on the bench.
Toulouse centre Florian Fritz is doubtful with a groin injury and, if he pulls out, Castaignede would make the starting 15.
FRANCE: J Laharrague; A Rougerie, F Fritz, Y Jauzion, C Heymans; F Michalak, J-B Elissalde; T Lievremont, R Martin, Y Nyanga; J Thion, F Pelous (capt); P de Villiers, D Swarzewski, O Milloud. Replacements: S Bruno, S Marconnet, L Nallet, G Lamboley, S Chabal, Y Delaigue, T Castaignede.
NEW ZEALAND: As the All Blacks embark on a potential Grand Slam tour of Ireland and Britain, scrumhalf Byron Kelleher has described the challenge as "massive".
New Zealand have not defeated Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales in quick succession since 1978, but are determined to end a memorable year in style.
"It is massive for us, and for All Blacks rugby," said Kelleher, ahead of the Wales opener at the Millennium Stadium.
"We had the decision to make of whether we would add Wales to the tour, and the players, coaches and New Zealand Rugby Football Union were very happy to collectively decide we were going to do that, turn it into a Grand Slam tour and try to achieve it. We feel we can't wait to get a run out there against Wales on Saturday."
All Blacks coach Graham Henry is due to announce his starting line-up today, and speculation is rife that he might not field his strongest available line-up against a nation that has not beaten New Zealand since 1953.
Kelleher added: "We've got 35 players here, and we are developing a squad whereby if one player falls over there is another player there who knows what is required of him to fill the jersey."
CONNACHT: Tongan international Andrew Mailei, who only arrives in Ireland today, could be drafted straight into the Connacht side for Friday night's trip to Glasgow Warriors.
Connacht have a number of injuries and may have no choice but to throw the 25-year-old centre straight into action.
John Hearty retired with a hamstring injury in Friday night's 19-16 win away to Montpellier. And Keith Matthews, who scored a hat-trick in the win over Amatori Catania, remains doubtful with a groin strain.
Coach Michael Bradley says he will wait for injury reports today before selecting his side for Friday night's clash at Hughenden.
"We did not expect to play Andrew Mailei so soon, but we may have no choice," he said.
Mailei, capped eight times by Tonga, joins Connacht from New Zealand NPC side North Harbour after the IRFU gave Connacht clearance to find a replacement for long-term casualty Mark McHugh.
