Lions ring the changes ahead of final Test
Lions ring the changes ahead of final Test
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Thursday, 02, Jul 2009 12:06
By Lewis Bazley.
Phil Vickery has been recalled as the British and Irish Lions make eight changes to their starting lineup for the final Test against South Africa.
Vickery comes in for the injured Adam Jones at tight-head prop with England team-mate Andrew Sheridan joining him in the front row after Gethin Jenkins' withdrawal through injury.
Ugo Monye returns to the starting lineup, with Shane Williams starting his first Test of the tour as Tommy Bowe moves from the wing to centre after Jamie Roberts failed to recover from an injured wrist.
Riki Flutey also makes his first Test appearance for the Lions, starting at inside centre in place of the bruised and battered Brian O'Driscoll.
While Jamie Heaslip retains his place at number eight, Martyn Williams gets his first Test start on his third Lions tour, with David Wallace dropping to the bench, while Joe Worsley replaces Tom Croft at blindside flanker.
Head coach Ian McGeechan said he expected the starting side to "give their all" in the final Test, despite last weekend's defeat resulting in the loss of the series.
"It is fair to say injuries have had an impact on the tour as you would expect including selection for the Third Test as we were unfortunate to lose Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones through injury last Saturday," he added.
"However, the players coming into the starting XV are all talented international players and are as keen as ever to turn the tables on the Springboks. Last Saturday we were minutes away from winning and that is a huge positive to take into the third Test."
With the series won, South Africa have made ten changes for their final clash with the British and Irish Lions, with only scrum-half Fourie du Preez, flanker Juan Smith, lock Victor Matfield and props Tendai Mtawarira and John Smit retaining their places.
The starting squads for the third Test are:
British and Irish Lions Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland), Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales); Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland, Captain), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), John Hayes (Munster/Ireland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
South Africa: Kirchner (Bulls); Ndungane (Sharks), Fourie (Lions), Olivier (Bulls), Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), Du Preez (Bulls); Mtawarira (Sharks), Ralepelle (Bulls), Smit (Sharks), Muller (Sharks), Matfield (Bulls), Brussow (Cheetahs), Smith (Cheetahs), Kankowski (Sharks).
Replacements: B du Plessis (Sharks), Steenkamp (Bulls), Carstens (Sharks), Sykes (Sharks), Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).