Lions name team for first tour game

Now, excited as I was about the Champions League Final last night, I have to nail my colours to the mast here and state that I am first and foremost a rugby man. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I was always too clumsy to play football at school and was always stuck in goal!

With this in mind, I am currently waiting with bated breath for the British Lions tour of South Africa this summer. This year’s tour will kick off this Saturday (30th) in a warm up game against the mysteriously titled Royal XV. 

Although there are precious few English players in this year’s squad, it is still incredibly exciting! What other chance does an Englishman have to proudly claim the likes of Shane Williams and Brian O’Driscoll as one of his own? After the debacle of Clive Wooodward’s misguided tour to New Zealand four years ago, this particular crop look stronger, more confident and ready to take on the current World Champions with some modicum of self belief. Under the leadership of Lions legend Ian McGeechan, they have picked a physical, muscular squad to combat the Saffas physicality. 

They have picked a very strong team for the opening game, including a number of players predicted to start the first test. Surprise Irish inclusion Keith Earls gets a start at inside centre and will hope to replicate his fantastic club form for Munster. I am personally excited by the back row of Williams, Powell and Worsley which could be devastating. 

This could be something of a false dawn as the Royal XV has been described by their own press as a ‘rag bag’ team. However, it should still make for an excellent spectacle!

Tags: News

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