As expected, injuries have forced the hand of the Lions selectors, and the fine centre combination of Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll will not be seen again this weekend.
British & Irish Lions versus South Africa on Saturday 4th July
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
14. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
13. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
6. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) Captain
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
Why noy not put Gordon D’arcy or Keith Earls in the centre? Two players who have actually played there!
Not really sure what Luke Fitzgerald has done to deserve being dropped from the 22…
Glad they haven’t picked Earls, he’s looked a little boy lost on this tour. D’Arcy is a 12 although he started out as a 13 so could have been an option. Fitzgerald must be pretty miffed. It’s a really patched together back division but will be interesting to see how they go. The Saffa midfield is stronger than in the past 2 games so Flutey and Bowe will have to be very sharp indeed.
Absolutely they were right to drop Fitzgerald. That ridiculous assault he inflicted on Burger’s fingers with his eyeballs has to be punished.
agree that pdv’s selection is somewhat irritating, but totally predictable in a dead game. the springboks already have one eye on the 3N.
at least earls and powell haven’t been picked, although john hayes getting to the bench is closer to action than i’d like, and he’s certain to get at least 20min run-out, let’s hope the beast has blown out by then. hines unlucky not to get a bench spot, but yes it’s the centre partnership that is the main worry, would love to have somehow spirited lewsey out there for a final hurrah…
we should win, but am again worried about lack of bench impact. you can see one of the halfbacks, for instance, getting injured early and us ending up with david wallace playing on the wing.
but generally the way the first two tests have gone i’m a bit more ‘up for’ this game than i was for the 3rd test in 05 which i actually watched on tape – unheard of!
It seems as though McGeech has opted to give a Test run out to those guys who have toured for the duration – hence Flutey and not D’Arcy. Why you’d pick Earls ahead of Bowe, even with Bowe only having limited experience in the centre is beyond me. He’s clearly not ready. And while Flutey is hardly the greatest defensive player, the Boks have named two big ball carrying centres, they’d would murder the boy.
What get’s me is picking Worsely ahead of Croft. Croft’s first Test was a brilliant performance. Worlsey has been poor all tour. It’s giving a cap away and it may see SA gain a whitewash. After all that has gone on in the last two Tests that’s the last thing they deserve.
On Fitzgerald – what’s he done to merit being in the 22? Williams hasn’t done much either – but he’s got previous down there. Monye looked dangerous going into the test, tough call. But not an unfair one.
monye could finish a cooked dinner they are ruined with injuries and i hope williams plays to his full potential
Irrespective of the selection, I think that each lions player should be handed a knuckle duster and told to just smash as many springboks as they can in 80 mins and then tell De Villiers thers nothing wrong with it! I’d pay to watch that on box office!!
s good