FOR THE first time since 1983, three Irish players will play in a test match far the Lions. Hooker Keith Wood, tight head prop Paul Wallace and second row Jeremy Davidson were all named yesterday in the team to meet South Africa in the first Test at Newlands tomorrow.

It is a tremendous achievement, but in fact it should have been even better. Number eight Eric Miller was also in the team when it was selected. However, Miller has been ruled out by an attack of influenza and his place at number eight goes to Tim Rodber.

When the team was released early yesterday afternoon, Lions manager Fran Cotton said: "Eric Miller was not available because of an attack of influenza. He was ruled out after examination on Wednesday night when it was confirmed he had influenza. We just could not afford to take any risks as it is essential to us that every player is 100 per cent fit."

Had Miller been available, there would have been four Irish forwards in the Lions pack. One has to go back to the final Test against New Zealand in 1966 for a similar happening. On that occasion Ray McLoughlin, Ken Kennedy, Willie John McBride and Ronie Lamont played.

Brendan Mullin was the only Irishman to play in a Test on the 1989 tour to Australia and Nick Popplewell was Ireland's only representative on the Lions Test side in New Zealand in 1993.

The team includes three Irishmen, three Scots, three Welsh and six Englishmen. Eleven of the team that played against Natal last Saturday are included. The back line has been chosen with one exception: Matt Dawson comes in at scrum half for Robert Howley who has returned home because of a shoulder injury. In the pack Wallace comes in for David Young, Davidson for Simon Shaw and Rodber for Miller.

Right wing Ieuan Evans, centres Scott Gibbs and Jeremy Guscott and team captain Martin Johnson are the only players in the team who have previously played Test rugby for the Lions. Evans will be playing in his seventh consecutive Test, having played in all three in Australia in 1989 and all three in New Zealand in 1993.

The half backs, Dawson and Gregor Townsend, both play for Northampton and have played together on several occasions but Townsend has more recently been playing in the centre at club level. Neil Jenkins has won the full back berth from Tim Stimpson.

Two Test players who have failed to get into the team are tight head props David Young who was in Australia in 1989 and Jason Leonard, who played in all three Tests in 1993. Wallace has seen them both off, just as Wood has gained preference over Martin Regan and Barry Willams. Davidson has edged out Simon Shaw.

The entire England front row has been overlooked, as Tom Smith of Scotland has been chosen ahead of Graham Rowntree at loosehead prop. The only English representative in the tight five is Johnson. Along with Lawrence Dallaglio, Richard Hill and Rodber, there are four English representatives in the pack. It would have been only three had Miller been fit.

Bearing in mind that England has 21 players in the squad, their representation of six in the team is an indication of the competitive nature of the selection.

"It is a merit selection, "said coach Ian McGeechan. "Those who have been chosen earned it. It was the most difficult selection in which I have ever been involved. There are a lot of very disappointed players and they are entitled to be disappointed."

One of the more controversial choices is that of Alan Tail on the left wing. A former rugby league player, he was chosen in the squad as a centre. He gets in ahead of John Bentley, Tony Underwood and Nick Beal. His superior defence would have been a factor in edging out Bentley, another former rugby league player.

From an Irish perspective, despite the disappointment over Miller, the selection of the Irish trio represents a great lift for the game in Ireland. The inclusion of the entire Irish contingent in the touring party in the original team is a striking testimony to the form displayed by all four.

"Irish rugby has had some bad "times recently, but this is tremendous," said Wood, summing up the feelings of himself and his colleagues. "We are all desperately sorry for Eric. The situation at hooker is extremely competitive with Barry Williams and Martin Regan here. And it will continue to be that way.

"I had not really given a lot of thought to the fact that if I got into the team I would emulate my late father Gordon, who played in two tests with the Lions in 1959. But now it has added to my sense of excitement and anticipation. I am especially pleased for my mother Pauline and my family.

Wallace, who is having treatment for slight knee injury sustained in a very vigorous training session on Wednesday, has certainly shown his worth and courage here. He was in Limerick preparing to travel to New Zealand with the Irish Development squad when Peter Clohessy withdrew from the Lions squad four days before departure to South Africa.

"I was delighted when I got into the squad," he said. "I knew how hard the competition would be here at tighthead with Jason Leonard and David Young in the squad. Initially, I did not think I would have a chance of a Test place. But as the tour progressed and I was playing well, I felt I was in with a chance. I would not have been very disappointed had I not been chosen, but I am absolutely delighted to have got in. A great deal has happened in a few weeks," said Wallace.

Davidson threw down the challenge for a second row berth from an early stage. His lineout play and industry have been deeply impressive. He was outstanding against Mpumalanga and against Gauteng. He had been selected to play against Natal, but withdrew because of a slight hamstring. He played well again against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday in Wellington, even if he was not quite as outstanding as he had been in the other matches.

"His attitude as well as his play have been excellent," said McGeechan. "He works so hard and never stops asking questions. He studies his performances on video and then comes back to ask questions again.

"It is like getting my first Irish cap all over again," said Davidson. "Playing for the Lions in the Test is very special. When I was selected for the tour I was determined to give it everything. I felt I was in with a good chance of getting into the Test side, but when I got the notification it is hard to explain just how elated I felt."

Davidson has been in regular contact throughout the tour with Willie Anderson, his coach at London Irish and, previously, Dungannon. "I speak to him regularly on the phone during the tour. He sees the matches on television and we discuss my game and all its aspects," he added.

There is profound sympathy for Miller. When he got the notification on Wednesday that he was in the team he was sure he would recover in good time. "It goes without saying that I am very disappointed. I did not feel very well on Wednesday and the doctor made me stay in bed. We hoped the bug would clear. But on, Wednesday night I was still feeling far from well. The correct decision has been taken. I must now do my best to get into the team for the second Test."