No Lions place for D’Arcy as McGeechan to stick with picks
Shanklin dislocated a shoulder two week’s ago playing for Cardiff and was ruled out of the six-week tour, which kicks off against a Highveld XV on May 30.
However, the failure of Lions-heavy Munster and Cardiff to reach next Saturday’s Heineken Cup final in Edinburgh has eased the pressure on the touring squad.
“When we selected the extra player back in April we were really trying to cover all our bases regarding the Heineken Cup final, where we could have been without 16 players,” McGeechan said.
“As it’s transpired, for the first two tour games we can cover the squad and really we want to give the opportunity and the responsibility to the players who are there to try to fill that role. The way it has fallen with the European Cup final it has allowed us to free up a few other players, particularly in that 13 channel. Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls can play there and we knew that when we picked them.”
McGeechan has already drafted in Scotland captain Mike Blair for Tomás O’Leary after the Munster scrum half broke his ankle but is being forced to wait on a decision over Irish flanker Alan Quinlan, who may be ruled out after being banned for 12 weeks for eye-gouging.
McGeechan said he had identified a likely replacement, probably England’s Tom Croft, but had not yet informed him.
One other player was missing from yesterday’s get-together after Northampton, who play Bourgoin in Friday’s European Challenge Cup final, refused to release prop Euan Murray.
The Lions management, who were informed of the decision early yesterday, were furious with Northampton, having told the clubs and unions six months ago that the entire squad would be needed on Monday for logistical issues, sponsor duties and the official tour photograph.
Murray, along with the players of Leinster and Leicester involved in the Heineken Cup final, would have returned to his club in the evening.
“It’s disappointing for us but also for Euan,” said Lions chief executive John Feehan. “We have asked the RFU to speak to the club but we will just have to get on without him.” The Lions will face a team featuring eight players with Super 14 experience in the opening match of their South African tour.
The Royal Highveld XV announced their squad yesterday for the game in Rustenburg on May 30. The squad included centre Deon van Rensburg of South Africa’s Lions Super 14 team and Cheetahs scrum half Sarel Pretorius.
“The British Lions must know they are coming to South Africa for a first match that won’t be easy,” said Highveld coach Chaka Willemse. “We will be going all out to win.”
However Springbok coach Peter de Villiers’ problems are mounting by the week ahead of the test series – with his preferred fly-half Ruan Pienaar the latest concern.
Pienaar has been ruled out of rugby for two to three weeks after injuring his ankle but should be fit to face the visiting British and Irish Lions. Pienaar suffered the injury playing for the Sharks, in a Super 14 match against the Bulls on Saturday.
“He has suffered a grade two sprain of his ankle ligaments. He had a scan today on the ankle and there is no other damage which is good news,” Sharks team doctor Craig Roberts said.
“It looks like he will be out for two to three weeks which is good news as he should be alright for the Lions series,” Roberts added.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers will be hoping that Pienaar makes a full recovery as a possible replacement, World Cup-winning fly half Butch James, suffered a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury to his knee while playing for Bath in the Guinness Premiership in April.
How the Boks might shape up for 1st test: S Terblanche, JP Pietersen, A Jacobs, J de Villiers, B Habana, M Steyn, F du Preez; G Steenkamp, B du Plessis, J Smit; B Botha, V Matfield; S Burger, J. Smith, P Spies.
Replacements: W Wepener, T Mtawarira, D Rossouw, R Kankowski, R Kockott, W Olivier, A Ndugane.
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