Lions Tour:Ian McGeechan's selection headache ahead of the first Lions Test against South Africa on Saturday will be a little easier now that Euan Murray and James Hook have been ruled out through injury. Both players had to leave the field during a bruising 20-8 victory over the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
Outhalf Hook was on the receiving end of a bruising tackle which left him nursing a bang to his neck and head, while prop Murray went off with a sprained ankle. Although an x-ray has revealed no fracture, he will not be considered for the Test team.
As it stands, the team looks set to comprise six Welshmen - Lee Byrne, Jamie Roberts, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins and Alun-Wyn Jones - five members of Ireland's Grand Slam-winning side in Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip, plus an English quartet of Ugo Monye, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery and Tom Croft.
Dark horses though, include Ireland back Rob Kearney - who could yet challenge Monye - and Wales flanker Martyn Williams, who beat Wallace to the pack.
Hook was a strong contender for the Test 22, and had been widely expected to provide midfield cover following an impressive tour.
Despite the Southern Kings' heavy-handed approach, the independent match citing commissioner lodged no complaints during the 12-hour, post-match window at his disposal under the Lions tour agreement.
"I think there was a cynical mark on the game," said Howley, as the Lions dusted themselves down back at Test base camp on Durban's sea-front.
"There were a lot of off the ball instances that weren't picked up by either the touch judge or referee.
"James had a bump to his neck and head, and it is an ongoing assessment. It was a quite high-ish tackle, being kind, and he is a bit groggy.
"It was a very physical game. There were incidents in the game, particularly with Gordon D'Arcy - twice off the ball - which for whatever reasons were undetected.”
The Lions will go into Saturday's Test bolstered by six successive wins, their best start to a tour since 1989 and the mood reflects that , according to kicking coach Neil Jenkins..
"There is a fantastic spirit in the camp, very similar to 1997," he said. "It is a huge game for us on Saturday. We've only got one Test at sea level this time, rather than 12 years ago when he had two, and the guys are going into it in good shape."
McGeechan's Test players will be told of their selection either tonight or before training tomorrow morning.
If he opts for the side most people expect, it will contain just five players with previous Lions Test experience in O'Driscoll, Stephen Jones, Jenkins, Vickery and O'Connell.
But the prospective line-up still includes a combined tally of more than 630 caps.
