Byrne stakes claim for Test spot

SHANE BYRNE put himself in pole position for the Lions’ Test hooking spot yesterday with a superb performance as the tourists got back on track with victory over Wellington.

Last Saturday’s defeat in Hamilton to the New Zealand Maori was punctuated by sloppy lineout ball from Steve Thompson, front row indiscipline from Andy Sheridan and an all-round lack of aggression from the Lions pack.

In Ireland hooker Byrne, the Lions solved all three of those problems in one fell swoop, as Wellington were easily beaten 23-6 at the capital’s Westpac Stadium.