KEITH EARLS may want to forget the day he first donned the famous & Lions jersey, but backs coach Rob Howley is expecting the bitter-sweet experience to make the young Irishman a much better player.

The British and Irish Lions have been forced into a late double change for the opening match of their tour of South Africa after forwards Andy Powell and Stephen Ferris were ruled out by injury.

KEITH EARLS still pinches himself every night to make sure he doesn’t wake up and find his rugby season was just an incredible dream. Having started the season with the aim of playing a few games for Munster, he will join eight other players making their British & Irish Lions debuts in Phokeng.

Paul O'Connell will lead the British & Irish Lions into their opening match of the 2009 tour of South Africa against the Royal XV in Phokeng, near Rustenburg, on Saturday.

THE British and Irish Lions will face a team made up mainly of players from the GWK Griquas and Platinum Leopards in their opening tour match on May 30. A Royal XV side, which the Lions will face at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng, will be led by flanker Wilhelm Koch.