RTÉ Sport : News - 28 May 2009

Player Profiles: Centre

25 May 2009
Looks fairly clear cut at the moment with Riki Flutey and Brian O'Driscoll looking a very well matched pair. James Hook could come into the mix at 12 though.
Player Profiles: Outside-back

25 May 2009
If they decide to really take the Springboks on with attacking rugby, Shane Williams and Luke Fitzgerald may just about shade it, with Lee Byrne at full-back.
Player Profiles: Half-back

25 May 2009
Mike Phillips is the favourite at scrum-half and rightly so and although it's a tough call, I have a hunch they may end up going Phillips-Ronan O'Gara.
Player Profiles: Front Row

25 May 2009
Euan Murray will almost certainly take the tighthead role and his sure technique will hopefully give a platform to either Jenkins or Sheridan to do a destructive job on the far side.
Player Profiles: Second Row

25 May 2009
Paul O'Connell is virtually guaranteed the starting jersey and this is his chance to make amends for 2005, in which he was seen as one of the bigger let downs.
Player Profiles: Back Row

25 May 2009
Could they go for an all-Irish back row? Ferris-Wallace-Heaslip may just be the best blend of work-rate, tackling power and different types of penetration.

Looks fairly clear cut at the moment with Riki Flutey and Brian O'Driscoll looking a very well matched pair

Features

The Lions deserved Test win to end a tour that can prove a springboard for Ireland, writes Conor O'Shea.

When you are champions you have to behave like champions, with dignity and respect...

The Lions finally secured a Test win after seven defeats in a row, beating South Africa and holding them tryless. We rate the players.

View a selection of the best images from the Lions hard fought victory in the third Test.

Brendan Cole assesses the performance and viability of the Lions, and takes a look at the future.

The BOD-less Lions may struggle agaisnt a Springbok team that some feel will be improved. Can they win by 15? Warren Gatchell thinks so.

Brian O'Driscoll, in an interview with Michael Corcoran, labels Peter de Villiers a 'disgrace' following his comments on eye-gouging.

The Lions lost the first test in heartbreaking circumstances, going down to a late penalty conceded by Ronan O'Gara. We rate the players.

View a selection of the best images from the Lions agonising defeat to South Africa in the second Test.

Read Michael Corcoran on media cabin fever, and how the speculation is hotting up ahead of the selection announcement for the second Test.

Warren Gatchell, our resident Springbok supporter, predicts a second Test win and a series clinching performance for his compatriots in Pretoria.

The Lions came desperately close to recording a remarkable victory in the first Test at Durban, but just fell short.

The Lions overcame a fired up Southern Kings outfit, but it wasn't all plain sailing. View some of the best images.

RTÉ Sport's Michael Corcoran blogs on the highlight of his Lions tour so far, and picks his team to start the First Test.

View a gallery of the Lions' victory over Western Province in Cape Town.

Read our selection of blogs on the 2009 Lions Tour and have your say.

Relive the story of the 1974 Lions who conquered the Springboks. (Ireland only)