RUGBY LIONS TOUR:THE LIONS touched down yesterday evening in Cape Town ready to embrace their fifth match of the tour against the Stormers at Newlands tomorrow. The match carries an added resonance because it will effectively give half a dozen individuals a final opportunity to demand inclusion in the three-Test series against South Africa.
Wednesday’s 39-3 victory over an emaciated Sharks in King’s Park wasn’t entirely convincing in the first half, but approved appreciably after the interval. Several players stood out, notably Mike Phillips (post interval), Lee Mears, Gethin Jenkins, Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip, while Luke Fitzgerald’s sharp display could earn him a place in the Test squad.
Lions coach Ian McGeechan will announce the team for the game against the Stormers at lunch-time today; it is a quasi final trial for Test selection. Rob Kearney is expected to start at fullback, and while Lee Byrne remains the favourite for the Test spot, the young Irishman is another pushing for a squad place in Durban for tomorrow week’s first Test against the Springboks.
Tommy Bowe has been the outstanding wing on the tour, scoring three tries, and all he’ll have to produce is another efficient performance against the Stormers to lock his place down. Ugo Monye isn’t guaranteed the Test left-wing spot, but he is the front runner going into tomorrow’s game.
McGeechan will probably opt for the fit-again Riki Flutey and Gordon D’Arcy in the centre, but his priority will be to see how the wings fare in what should be a much tougher assignment than the stroll against the Golden Lions.
Outhalf Stephen Jones may get Harry Ellis for a partner, and he’ll know he has to discharge his duties as effectively as Ronan O’Gara managed during the week. The Ireland outhalf doesn’t often get credit for his tackling, but he should for the manner in which he defended against the Sharks.
A potential problem for Jones and O’Gara is the player who doesn’t make the Test team might not be included on the bench, as James Hook covers more positions; it could be a travesty for one or the other.
Yesterday, Lions forward coach Warren Gatland was mystified by Jonathan Kaplan’s refereeing of the scrums during the Sharks game.
This set-piece is going to have a huge influence on the Tests, so today’s likely frontrow of Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Rees and Euan Murray will want to produce a big performance in the scrum.
Sheridan is pushing Gethin Jenkins for the loosehead prop role, but there is still an appreciable gap between the two, which the Englishman will be looking to close.
Nathan Hines might be partnered in the secondrow by Donncha O’Callaghan, although Simon Shaw did well when coming on as a late replacement in the Sharks match.
The Test secondrow pairing is still a live debate, and while Paul O’Connell’s performances should secure him one spot, it is possible to make a case for any one of the other four players.
The Lions backrow resources have been pared to the bone following the injury to the hugely unlucky Stephen Ferris.
Martyn Williams will start at openside flanker, having recovered from a shoulder injury, and is likely to be partnered by Joe Worsley, restored to his familiar role of blindside, and Andy Powell.
The Lions management will want to maintain the impetus gleaned from a winning streak going into the Tests, while for the individuals in action tomorrow there are no more chances.
Those who head to Port Elizabeth for next Tuesday’s game will be watching the first Test in their civilian clothes. That is one team everyone will want to avoid.
Tomorrow a handful of players can guarantee that option.
