News Archive
Yet more injury problems for the Lions
21st May 2009
Hooker Jerry Flannery has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions Tour indefinitely with an elbow injury. The Ireland and Munster hooker is the latest Lions casualty, along with fellow irishman Tomàs O'Leary, Welsh centre Tom Shanklin and the banned Alan Quinlan.
Flannery was officially ruled out yesterday with a chipped bone in his left elbow. He suffered the injury during an afternoon training session yesterday. Scans confirmed he would need an operation which would prevent him leaving with the rest of the squad this sunday. The Lions have yet to name a replacement but the front runners look to be either Irelands Rory Best or Scotland's Ross Ford.
Another blow for the Lions is a thigh injury to Wales and Cardiff Blues winger Leigh Halfpenny. He will miss the early stages of the tour and remain in Cardiff for treatment. However he will rejoin the party when he has returned to fitness.
This again opens the door to England and London Irish ace Delon Armitage, who had been linked as a possible replacement for centre Tom Shanklin. The Lions management decided not to replace Shanklin.
He is a dynamic player and can fill almost any position in the back line. Furthermore his ability as a kicker also may put him in good stead to replace the injured Halfpenny for the early stages of the tour.
Croft replaces banned Quinlan
21st May 2009
Tom Croft has been called up to the British and Irish Lions squad to replace the banned Alan Quinlan.
Quinlan failed in his appeal to overturn a 12 week ban he received for making contact with Leinster captain, Leo Cullen's eye in the recent Heineken Cup semi final.
This is an opportunity for Croft to show the selectors what he can do after he was a surprising omission from the original Lions Squad.
Royal Highveld XV Squad announced
19th May 2009
The British and Irish Lions first opponents have been announced. Highveld XV coach Chaka Willemse has stated "We will be going all out to win" as he announced eight players with Super 14 experience in his squad.
Willemse also said "The Lions must know they are coming to South Africa for a first match that won't be easy". With players such as Super 14 Cheetahs scrum-half Sarel Pretorius and centre Deon van Rensburg included the match will be far from easy.
The full squad also includes 14 players from Vodacom Cup Champions Griquas.
Squad List
Russell Jeacocks (Leopards), Colin Lloyd (Leopards), Egon Seconds (Griquas), Bjorn Basson (Griquas), Deon van Rensburg (Leopards), Basil de Doncker (Leopards), Hanno Coetzee (Griquas) Riaan Viljoen (Griquas), Naas Olivier (Griquas), Michael Bondesio (Leopards), Jacques Coetzee (Pumas), Sarel Pretorius (Griquas), Jonathan Makoena (Griquas), RW Kember (Leopards) Devon Raubenheimer (Griquas), Wilhelm Koch (Leopards), Jaco Bouwer (Pumas), Ligtoring Landman (Leopards), Rudi Mathee (Leopards), Jacques Lombard (Griquas), Bees Roux (Griquas) Rayno Barnes (Griquas), Hannes Franklin (Pumas), Pellow van der Westhuizen (Leopards) Albertus Buckle (Griquas), Dawie Steyn (Pumas), Stef Roberts (Griquas).
Shanklin will not be replaced
19th May 2009
British and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has confirmed he will not replace injured Wales and Cardiff Blues centre Tom Shanklin.
The announcement was made as the Lions Squad met at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey to begin preparations for the tour. This ends speculation of his replacement, the announcement will no doubt be a disappointment to possible candidates Delon Armitage and Gordon D'Arcy.
**Update** Quinlan ruled out of Lions Tour
14th May 2009
Alan Quinlan will now definitely miss the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa after being given a 12 week ban for eye gouging. He was found guilty of making contact with Leinster captain, Leo Cullen's eye in the recent Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park.
Quinlan had been a surprise inclusion by Lions coach Ian McGeechan, ahead of the likes of England's Tom Croft and Wales Captain Ryan Jones. This opens the door for either player to seal their dream spot on the tour, however Croft looks to be favourite at this point.
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Mike Blair called up to Lions squad
12th May 2009
Scotland captain, Mike Blair, has been called up to the Lions scrum-half spot to replace injured Tomàs O'Leary.
The scrum-half spot became vacant when the Munster and Ireland player O'Leary broke his ankle in a Magners League tie just days after the squad was announced. Blair has beaten off competition from Scotland team mate Chris Cusiter, Dwayne Peel of Wales and England's Danny Care.
Surprisingly left out of the original line up, the 28 year old Edinburgh and Scotland captain joins fellow Scotland team mates Euan Murray and Nathan Hines for the tour of South Africa.
"I’m really pleased to have been given the opportunity to Tour with the British and Irish Lions, it is a massive honour", said Blair, "I'm excited about the challenge ahead".
Andy Robinson, Blair's coach at Edinburgh, has history as both Lions player and coach.
“Mike has matured into an outstanding leader, for both Edinburgh and Scotland, and he is an intelligent player with a lot to offer the Lions," he said.
There's no doubt Blair's 58 Scotland Tests put him in good stead for the scrum-half spot.
Further Injury Scares for the Lions
11th May 2009
Lions coach Ian McGeechan was hit by further injury scares at the weekend. It came as Cardiff Blues battled Munster to secure their place in the Heineken Cup next season.
Less than a week after losing Tom Shanklin to a shoulder injury another two of his teammates picked up knocks. Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts, running at no.12 in place of Shanklin, had to leave the field with a shoulder injury. He is due to see a shoulder specialist today to assess the extent of the injury.
Further concerns come as team mate Leigh Halfpenny pulled out at the last minute with a hamstring twinge. However there are no serious concerns over his fitness but with the Lions tour not far away he was withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
**Update** Quinlan waits to hear his fate
8th May 2009
Alan Quinlan will have to wait until next Wednesday to see if his British and Irish Lions dream is finally over. He will face and independent disciplinary committee who will decide his fate.
Quinlan was cited for an alleged eye gouge on Leinster's Leo Cullen. If found guilty this will be the third player to be ruled out of the tour, with Tomàs O'Leary already ruled out with a broken ankle and Tom Shanklin also ruled out because of a dislocated shoulder.
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**Update** Shanklins Tour Dreams Over
8th May 2009
Tom Shanklin has now been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa following his shoulder injury in Wednesday nights Magner League clash with the Dragons.
After an initial x-ray on Wednesday evening, he was finally ruled out on Thursday after an MRI scan showed he would need reconstructive surgery on his shoulder joint, which will put him out of action for at least 12 weeks.
This is the latest blow to Shanklins Lions Test hopes after missing out on all three Test matches against the All Blacks in 2005 after suffering a career threatening knee injury in the warm up matches.
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Springboks injuries mount up
7th May 2009
Stormers full-back Conrad Jantjes is the latest casualty for the South African's. He suffered a broken leg in the Super 14 match against the Chiefs and will be out for the remainder of the year.
This is the las test in a long line of injuries for the Springbok's, also out is Jantjes most probable replacement Frans Steyn who is out for six to eight weeks after suffering a knee injury, he still may be available for the tests but only time will tell.
This must be a major concern for South Africa coach Peter de Villiers with major players such as Jean de Villiers (groin), Schalk Burger (calf), Fourie du Preez (calf), Adrian Jacobs (shoulder) and Andries Bekker (rib) all facing a race against time to be fully fit for the arrival of the Lions in just over three weeks time.
Shanklin: Another injury worry for the Lions
7th May 2009
Cardiff Blues and Wales centre Tom Shanklin is the latest injury worry for the British and Irish Lions.
Shanklin dislocated his shoulder in last nights Magners League tie against the Dragons. All was looking good for the tough international centre as he went over for an interception try in the first half, but all turned sour as he fell awkwardly in a tackle late on in the game.
He underwent an x-ray last night and is due to have an MRI scan today, further updates are expected by the weekend. This is another major doubt for the British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan, who has lost one player already, and is at risk of losing at least three more top players.
Quinlan's Lions tour place in doubt
5th May 2009
Munster flanker Alan Quinlan has become a major doubt for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, after being cited for an alleged eye gouge on Leinster Lock Leo Cullen.
Quinlan will answer to the European Rugby Cup disciplinary panel over the incident, which was picked up on television cameras during Leinster's 25 - 6 win over the defending champions.
If found guilty he could face a minimum 12 week ban which would no doubt ruin his chances of making the British and Irish Lions Tour which begins on May 30.
Lee Byrne Injury scare for the Lions
1st May 2009
British and Irish Lions Head coach Ian McGeechan had another injury scare to deal with last night. Ospreys & Wales Full-Back Lee Byrne limped off in Ospreys 27-18 win over the Dragons.
Byrne did not return to the field for the second half of the crunch Magners League tie, and spent the remainder of the game with his left knee strapped after being caught in mid air by Dragons flanker Jamie Ringer.
This latest injury scare comes less than a week after Munster & Ireland Scrum-Half Tomàs O'Leary was ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa with a broken ankle.
The club seem quite relaxed about the incident saying "Lee's taken a knock to his knee. It's sore at the moment but we hope it's nothing too serious".
Hopefully this will not ruin Byrne's chances of battling with Ireland Rob Kearney for the full back position and ultimately his chances of making the tour all together.
IRB announces referees for Lions Tour
29th April 2009
The International Rugby Board today announced the referees that will take charge of the British and Irish Lions Tour 2009.
The match officials for the 3 Test matches are: 1st Test - Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), 2nd Test - Christophe Berdos (France), 3rd Test - Stuart Dickinson (Australia) along with specialist assistant referee Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
All referees are IRB high performance referee panel members and of neutral stance as desired by both British and Irish Lions and South African team management.
The other referees who will take charge of provincial matches are Marius Jonker (South Africa), Craig Joubert (South Africa), Wayne Barnes (England), Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Mark Lawrence (South Africa) and Nigel Owens (Wales), while Rugby World Cup 2007 Final referee Alain Rolland will referee the Lions match against the Emerging Springboks.
O'Leary's Broken Ankle puts him out of Lions tour
28th April 2009
Munster and Ireland scrum half Tomàs O'Leary has had his Lions dreams shattered after sustaining a broken ankle in a Magners League tie against Scarlets.
O'Leary was stretched off after being caught in a pile up around the ten minute mark in the first half. X-rays at Cork University Hospital subsequently confirmed the break.
The injury opens the door for a replacement but Head Coach Ian McGeechan says he's in no hurry to make an announcement on who will take O'Leary's place. Names on the short list include Scotland captain Mike Blair, England's Danny Care, Welshman Dwayne Peel and Ireland's Peter Stringer.
Injury fears must be a real concern for McGeechan; this years Heineken Cup final is played out the day before the Lions leave for SA and could be between Munster and Cardiff Blues. Between them these teams make up 14 of the current Lions squad. Lets hope it's incident free.
Who do you think deserves the place on the squad? Twitter rugbystore with your suggestions!
British and Irish Lions Squad Announced
21st April 2009
After weeks of speculation the British and Irish Lions Squad has finally been announced.
British and Irish Lions Head Coach Ian McGeechan named man mountain Irish & Munster Lock Paul O'Connell as captain, taking over from fellow countryman Brain O'Driscoll who captained the side on the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
Other key players include long serving England & Wasps Prop Phil Vickery, exciting young Wales & Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts, Experienced Ireland & Munster Fly-Half Ronan O'Gara and of course Ireland & Leinsters powerhouse centre Brain O'Driscoll.
For the full squad list click here >>
