McGeechan selects Lions team for first tour match
By AP, 29 May 2009
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- Adam Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, british and irish lions, Ian McGeechan, International Rugby, Jamie Roberts, Joe Worsley, Keith Earls, Martyn Williams, Matthew Rees, Mike Phillips, Paul O'Connell, Phil Vickery, Riki Flutey., Rugby Union, Simon Shaw, Stephen Ferris, Stephen Jones, Tommy Bowe
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Lions coach Ian McGeechan selected seven Welshmen in his starting team on Wednesday to play a Royal XV this weekend in the opening tour match of South Africa.
Fullback Lee Byrne, inside centre Jamie Roberts, winger Shane Williams, hooker Matthew Rees, tighthead prop Adam Jones, openside flanker Martyn Williams and No.8 Andy Powell will play at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday.
McGeechan also picked four Englishmen, three Irishmen and one Scot in his team.
Two Ireland players – Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip – have been rested after playing for Leinster in the Heineken Cup final win over Leicester last weekend.
“We are aiming to give all the players a run in the first three games and in all six matches before the Tests we will be trying to develop combinations,” McGeechan said.
“I think it’s a good mix of youth and experience.”
© AFP 2013Lions:
Lee Byrne, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Ronan O’Gara, Mike Blair; Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Paul O’Connell (capt), Simon Shaw, Joe Worsley, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell. Res: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Alun-Wyn Jones, Stephen Ferris, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Riki Flutey.
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May 30th 2009 @ 12:24am
pothale said | May 30th 2009 @ 12:24am | Report comment
Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald are also being rested having played for Leinster last weekend. As are Tom Croft, Harry Ellis of Leicester and Euan Murray of Northampton who also played last week.
However, word is that No 8 Andy Powell has picked up a hand injury due to an insect bite and may not play tomorrow, and Ireland’s Stephen Ferris may not be on the bench after turning an ankle in training.
The fresher David Wallace of Munster and Ireland may be called up instead of Powell with Croft or Heaslip put on the bench as back-up.