Lions change five for 2nd Test
Simon Shaw is set to make his Test debut for the British and Irish Lions
Also In The News
|
Max Mosley has claimed that the FIA has agreed a deal with the Formula One Team's Association (Fota) to prevent a breakaway series next season. |  |
Thursday, 25, Jun 2009 10:14
The British and Irish Lions have made five changes to their starting XV for this weekend's second Test against South Africa in Pretoria.
Head coach Ian McGeechan has opted for three changes in the pack, which was largely dominated by the Springboks in the 26-21 first Test defeat last Saturday, including dropping under-fire England prop Phil Vickery for Adam Jones.
The other changes see Wales hooker Matthew Rees called up in place of Lee Mears to form an all-Welsh front row while Simon Shaw is installed in the second row alongside captain Paul O'Connell, with Alun Wyn Jones dropping to the bench.
In the backs division, Rob Kearney is called up at full-back in place of the injured Lee Byrne while Luke Fitzgerald is handed a first Test start in place of Ugo Monye on the left wing.
Monye finds himself left out of the matchday 22 altogether, despite some solid performances on the tour, with IRB world player of the year Shane Williams drafted in among the replacements.
Welsh duo Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones continue their partnership at half-back, with the Irish-English combination of David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip and Tom Croft across the back row.
Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll also keep their places in the centres, despite an under-par performance in last week's defeat to the Boks in Durban.
Full British and Irish Lions lineup to face South Africa in second Test:
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster / Ireland)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys / Ireland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster / Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues / Wales)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster / Ireland)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets / Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys / Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster / Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster / Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers / England)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster / Ireland, captain)
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps / England)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys / Wales)
2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets / Wales)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements
16. Ross Ford (Edinburgh / Scotland)
17. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks /England)
18. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys / Wales)
19. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Shane Williams (Ospreys / Wales)