| SCOTS QUARTET TO FACE KINGS |
| Monday, 15 June 2009 | |
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All four Scots on the British & Irish Lions tour party have been handed starting berths for tomorrow’s (Tuesday 16 June) First Test appetiser, against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth (kick-off 2pm BST) Mike Blair (pictured) is battling to recover from a sprained ligament in his foot to make his second start of the tour at scrum-half, while Nathan Hines is being asked to prove his versatility by starting at blindside flanker. Hines joins his fellow Scots, Euan Murray and Ross Ford, in the Lions pack, where Donncha O’Callaghan will captain the Lions for the first time.
Hines, who played in his customary lock berth in the 26-23 victory over Western Province last weekend, has already appeared on the flank in this tour – for 15 minutes off the bench against the Cheetahs. He told the Scottish Rugby website today: “It’s good to get a chance to play somewhere different, though, having said that there’s not that much difference between second row and blindside flanker.” Lions head coach Ian McGeechan said: “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. "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. "This is Test week and there is a noticeable change in attitude within the touring party. We are now heading towards the business end of the tour and the reason why we have come to South Africa. As you would expect the immediate focus is the next match against the Southern Kings on Tuesday before attention turns to selection for the First Test for which all players will be considered." British & Irish Lions v Southern Kings 15 Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland) 14 Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales) 10 James Hook (Ospreys/Wales) 1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England) Substitutes |
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