Hookers thrown to the Lions

GORDON BULLOCH is used to being a member of a minority group on this Lions tour.

Before flanker Jason White’s call-up to Clive Woodward’s injury-ravaged squad yesterday, the Leeds-bound hooker had been one of only two Scottish players, alongside scrum-half Chris Cusiter - Simon Taylor having gone home earlier this month - and both were on the outside looking in when things went pear-shaped in the first Test last Saturday.

Bulloch has a chance this morning to push his way into the second Test reckoning with a convincing display against Manawatu province in Palmerstown North. He was due to captain the side for the second time on this tour, thus confirming his status in another select club, but you get the feeling that the one membership he treasures most is that of the quartet of Lions hookers in 2005.