Red-blooded Tito pride of Taranaki

THE sight of a giant second row with a mop of ginger hair marauding all over the lineout and stealing opposition ball is something the British & Irish Lions are counting on as a major weapon in their armoury during this tour.

Yet while Paul O'Connell contemplates his new status as the Lions pack leader following the injury to Lawrence Dallaglio and a storming performance against Bay Of Plenty, the tourists could get a taste of their own medicine when they face Taranaki at the Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth tomorrow (8.10am Irish time).

Their potential nemesis is Taranaki captain Paul 'Fish' Tito, an 82-match veteran of the NPC side and a leading light for the Wellington Hurricanes Super 12 franchise. He is a year older than O'Connell at 26 and just under an inch shorter than the Irishman's 6ft 4ins frame, but Tito is determined to make his mark on tomorrow's encounter.