O'Callaghan to lead the Lions
Monday, 15 June 2009 16:44
Donncha O'Callaghan will captain the British and Irish Lions against the Southern Kings in their final tour match before the first Test.
You can keep updated on Southern Kings v Lions in our live text matchtracker here on RTÉ.ie from 2pm on Tuesday, 16 June
Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has maintained from the outset that his final selection for the first Test will not be made until after tomorrow's clash in Port Elizabeth.
O'Callaghan leads a team with a number of players - the likes of Euan Murray, Andy Powell and James Hook - who are considered to be in with a genuine chance of pressing for a place in the Test 22.
Powell has been given another chance to impress at number eight following his eye-catching performance against Western Province at the weekend.
Simon Shaw will partner O'Callaghan in the second row while Euan Murray, Ross Ford and Andrew Sheridan complete a powerful tight five unit.
But in other areas the selection has the distinct feel of a shadow team about it.
Scotland lock Nathan Hines will be pressed into action at blindside flanker with Joe Worsley switched to the openside.
Gordon D'Arcy will make his first start of the tour alongside Riki Flutey, who has been switched to outside centre.
Mike Blair has been named at scrum-half but faces a fitness test in the morning on the ankle injury which forced him to pull out of the squad for Saturday's victory over Western Province.
Shane Williams and Luke Fitzgerald are due to start on the wings with Keith Earls switched from outside centre to full-back, however Tommy Bowe has been brought in as cover for Williams as he was suffering from a stomach bug this afternoon.
Lions team to play Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday 16 June:
Keith Earls, Shane Williams, Riki Flutey, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, James Hook, Mike Blair, Andy Powell, Joe Worsley, Nathan Hines, Donncha O'Callaghan (captain), Simon Shaw, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Andrew Sheridan
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Harry Ellis, Ronan O'Gara, Ugo Monye
