Simon can satisfy yen to play proud Lions part

NEVER mind the congratulations for his call-up to the Lions squad in New Zealand, the first thing Simon Easterby received from his Ireland colleagues was a 2,000 yen fine for leaving the Japan-bound squad early.

Easterby's hasty departure from the Ireland party heading for a two-Test series in the Land of the Rising Sun may have hit him in the pocket to the tune of 15 but the Llanelli flanker, a replacement for the injured Lawrence Dallaglio, is sure to benefit in many other ways over the next five weeks Down Under.

Easterby joined up with the Lions at their Auckland hotel yesterday still a little shocked at his change in circumstances. "It came as a bit of a surprise but obviously I'm delighted. There are always going to be injuries because it's a tough tour, but I wasn't expecting this. Of course I was hoping that if there was an unfortunate incident and there was a replacement then I would be in the frame." The Irish squad had watched the Lions opening game against Bay Of Plenty on Saturday morning, said Easterby, but had not been aware that Dallaglio's injury had ended his tour.