O'Callaghan named Lions captain
Lock Donncha O'Callaghan to captain British and Irish Lions
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Monday, 15, Jun 2009 10:02
Donncha O'Callaghan will captain the British and Irish Lions team against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth tomorrow evening.
The Irish lock forward will deputise for regular skipper Paul O'Connell, who is being rested ahead of this weekend's first Test against South Africa in Durban.
The patchwork team sees Ireland centre Keith Earls given a run out at full-back, with Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Williams on the wings, Riki Flutey and Gordon D'Arcy in the centres and James Hook and Mike Blair making up the half-back partnership.
Although the Lions are making preparations for this week's first match against the Springboks, as many as seven players are backing up from Saturday's narrow 26-23 victory over Western Province - including several players who are in different positions.
In addition to Earls switching to 15, Joe Worsley moves from number six to seven and second-rower Nathan Hines takes the second flanker berth despite starting in his usual position at the weekend.
"The Southern Kings is not a regular team but we understand there are some very talented players in the squad for the match," said Lions head coach Ian McGeechan.
"Experience tells me that you can never underestimate any South African team and like the other teams we have faced on the tour so far we will not take them lightly.
"Seven players are backing up from the Western Province match with Nathan Hines, Joe Worsley, Riki Flutey and Keith Earls given the opportunity in the starting XV in different positions.
"The team will be captained by proud Munster man Donncha O'Callaghan, an experienced Lions tourist, who is a very popular member of the squad."
Although he has been named to start at number nine, Mike Blair faces a late fitness test to ensure he is fit to play - having pulled out of Saturday's game at the last minute.
McGeechan added: "As mentioned by doctor Gary O'Driscoll yesterday at our medical briefing we will give Mike Blair a fitness test on Tuesday morning.
"He had to withdraw from the replacements bench against Western Province last Saturday due to a foot injury."
Full British and Irish Lions team to face Southern Kings on Tuesday June 16th:
15. Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland)
14. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)
10. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)
9. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
7. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
6. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
5. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland, captain)
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
3. Euan Murray (Northampton/Scotland)
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
Replacements:
16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
19. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)