Head Coach of the British & Irish Lions Tour Ian McGeechan and Manager Gerald Davies have announced their team to face the Sharks on Wednesday in Durban with Paul O’Connell as captain.

Davies said, “We are now halfway through the provincial matches prior to the First Test and the important factor is that the Lions are unbeaten. The next challenge is the Sharks in Durban. The selected team will want to ensure that the one hundred percent playing record is maintained with a victory at ABSA Stadium which is also the venue of the First Test.”

Commenting on the team selection Head Coach Ian McGeechan said, “I am delighted that as we head into the fourth match we only have one player who is unavailable for selection. (more…)

The British & Irish Lions have achieved all their objectives thus far by winning all three first games. They now move from the Highveld to the coast for their next games and have sounded a strong warning to the Springboks ahead of their three tests.

The Lions have moved to Durban to begin preparations for Wednesday’s clash with the Sharks. As it turns out, both teams will be in what used to be known as the Last Outpost of the British Empire for the first part of the week as the Boks are gathering on Tuesday to start the count-down to the 20 June test match in that city.

The Lions were pushed before losing 26-24 to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein at the weekend, but they showed in the first phase of three matches where the chief objective was to give all the players a run in the Lions jersey that there are several areas where they could trouble the Boks.

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The British & Irish Lions held on for a 26 – 24 win over a spirited Cheetahs side atVodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Cheetahs missed a number of kicks at goal, which if converted would’ve made them the first Free State team to beat the Lions since 1924.

Replacement flyhalf Louis Strydom attempted a long-range drop goal with two minutes to go but unfortunately for the former Golden Lions pivot and his new team it sailed wide.

It was heartbreaking stuff for the men from Bloemfontein who gave the Lions their first real test of their 10-match tour and Ian McGeechan and his troops will certainly breathe a sigh of relief that the sands of time ran out on the hosts.

Openside flank Heinrich Brussow was outstanding for the Cheetahs as he secured turnover after turnover and tackled anything that moved.

He led the charge at the breakdown, a facet of play that the Cheetahs notably outplayed the visitors in, and was strong with ball in hand. Hooker Adriaan Strauss also had a good showing before he made way for his cousin Richardt.

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The British & Irish Lions gave the Xerox Golden Lions a lesson in rugby on Wednesday night. The British beat the team from Johannesburg 74 – 10 at Ellispark.

The Johannesburg side struggled in the Super 14 and last week Loffie Eloff received his marching orders. In the wake of that drama, it was always going to be tough and the Golden Lions looked every inch a team in turmoil as they capitulated to the tourists.

Brian O’Driscoll’s men were innovative and clinical, but the hosts contributed to the inflated scoreline through their staggered defence, piss-poor handling and inability to finish. Ian McGeechan will be pleased with resultant momentum, but the Lions’ mentor will also know the win came against a very weak side.

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The Springbok squad to take on the British & Irish Lions was announced by SARU President Oregan Hoskins and coach Peter de Villiers on Monday night at Montecasino.

The 28-man squad includes one newcomer in Vodacom Blue Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn. The selection also marks the return to the Springbok squad of Sharks prop Deon Carstens and Vodacom Blue Bulls centre Wynand Olivier, both of whom last played for the Boks in 2007.

The other uncapped squad member is Xerox Lions flyhalf Earl Rose, who toured Europe with the Springbok team in 2008 but did not play.

Sharks flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and utility back Frans Steyn, who have been recovering from injury in recent weeks, are included in the group.

The squad includes ten players from the Vodacom Bulls’ victorious Vodacom Super 14 squad. No less than 25 members of the squad that toured Wales, Scotland and England at the end of last year were included again.

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Munster and British & Irish Lions captain and lock Paul O’Connell promised to do the jersey proud and lead from the front in their 10-match tour of South Africa in June / July.

Head coach Ian McGeechan handed O’Connell the captaincy over Brian O’Driscoll despite the Leinster centre having skippered Ireland to a first Grand Slam in 61 years in March.

McGeechan, however, rarely does things without some intricate planning and the former Scotland and Lions centre is hoping O’Connell will form a “real focus in the forwards” as England great Martin Johnson did when the Lions last won a series, 12 years ago, against the Springboks.

“He is a huge character and has a huge amount of respect,” McGeechan said of O’Connell.

“For South Africa, it’s important to have that focal point there.”

O’Connell himself said he thought the current 37-strong Lions squad was stronger than the one that was whitewashed 3-0 in New Zealand four years ago when then-coach Clive Woodward used 51 players.

The Munster lock, 29, played in all three of those Tests but failed to make much impression as the visitors were soundly outplayed by the Dan Carter-inspired All Blacks.

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The South African economy is to receive a R1 billion injection due to the British & Irish Lions Tour.

With South Africa hosting several major sporting events throughout 2009, including three high-profile international tournaments, economists are predicting a boost of R4 billion into the country’s economy.

The tournament starts on 30 May at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg with a game against the Royal XV. The first international takes place on 20 June in Durban, when the Springboks, the current Rugby World Cup Champions, clash with their northern hemisphere opponents.

Over the course of 10 matches,the British & Irish Lions will take on four provincial teams, two invitational combinations, the Emerging Springboks, and the Springboks. They will visit South Africa next in 2021.

According to the tour’s project manager, Andre Homan of the South African Rugby Union, around 50 000 fanatical British rugby fans will follow their heroes to South Africa. Most are expected to stay at least three weeks.

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