British & Irish Lions
• British & Irish Lions tour Australia in 2013
Ireland Rugby
Preview of Lions versus the Emerging Springboks
There is a great air of anticipation for the game between the Lions and the Emerging Springboks to be held at the home of South African rugby – Newlands. It is clear that this is a big game for the Lions as they seek to restore their pride after the first test against the Springboks. It is also an important game for the Emerging Boks who will want to prove their strength for their possible selection for a springbok cap.
The weather predictions don’t really seem in any team’s favour with rainy and windy conditions expected. While these are likely to suit the Northern Hemisphere players who are used to weather such as this, there is no telling what the Cape winter might do.
The Lions team is packed with Irish players (six in all) and is to be led by Ronan O’Gara. Two new starters for the Lions include Tim Payne and John Hayes and it is the intention of coach Ian McGeechan that they experience what it is really like to start out on the pitch against a team of this calibre. This will stand them in good stead for future international encounters.
The Emerging Boks team is made up of a talented mixture of players who are all eager to work towards a Test place in the near future. This makes them perhaps an even greater danger to the Lions as they have so much to play for. The Lions’ squad is well aware of this though and will work to ensure that they do not allow any unforced errors during the game tomorrow night.
British and Irish Lions team to play the Emerging Springboks at Newlands, Cape Town, on Tuesday 23 June at 6.10pm:
Keith Earls, Shane Williams, Riki Flutey, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan O’Gara (Captain), Harry Ellis, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Joe Worsley, Nathan Hines, Donncha O’Callaghan, John Hayes, Ross Ford, Tim Payne.
Replacements: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Simon Shaw, David Wallace, Mike Blair, James Hook, Ugo Monye.