Donncha delight at ‘biggest honour’

DONNCHA O’Callaghan isn’t easily knocked for six, but British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan managed to skittle him yesterday when he appointed him as captain of the team to meet the Southern Kings later today.

An emotional O’Callaghan described the news thus: “It is the biggest honour I have ever had bestowed on me, and you must enjoy moments like this when you’re living out your dreams.”

He becomes the fourth 2009 Lions captain, following in the footsteps of tour leader Paul O’Connell, fellow Irishman Brian O’Driscoll and English prop Phil Vickery.

“It doesn’t get much better than this. I was completely taken aback when Geech broke the news to me. For once, I was speechless. It’s fantastic, really brilliant,” he said.

He was lavishly praised by McGeechan yesterday, the coach remarking: “I got to know Donncha pretty well in 2005 in New Zealand, and I know his reaction when he was first selected. He’s a fantastic tourist. I valued what he did back then (in 2005) and he has taken it a step forward with this group. You don’t have to have led a lot to know people will follow you. I value what he has brought to the party; our relationship has grown on this tour. He’s very deserving of the captaincy, in my book.”

McGeechan insisted again yesterday that there are still openings to be filled in Saturday’s Test team, and O’Callaghan has taken the coach at face value on that.

“I know there are places up for grabs; it is a chance to force the coach’s hands,” said the second row.

O’Callaghan has no doubt he won’t have to do much to rally the troops. “There is a fantastic buzz in the camp, a real feeling of unity; we were told we would be given an opportunity to fight for places in the Test side, and I don’t think anyone feels they haven’t been given that chance,” he added.

It means O’Callaghan and others have a real incentive to go for the jugular against a team that is expected to be no more than moderately competitive.

Arguably, McGeechan has settled on his front row for Saturday’s Test (Gethin Jenkins, Lee Mears and Phil Vickery), although Euan Murray or Andrew Sheridan might well come into the equation with big performances today. O’Callaghan himself will have to produce a very strong display to nudge past Alan Wyn Jones, while McGeechan is almost certainly looking to see something special from Nathan Hines, playing out of position at blind side flanker.

The coach would almost certainly have selected Stephen Ferris, who was unfortunately ruled out of the tour through injury. Hines now gets a crack at winning a place in Saturday’s squad.

O’Callaghan is one of four Irishmen in for today’s match, joined by Keith Earls who plays full back, Gordon D’Arcy in the centre alongside Riki Flutey and Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing. Fitzgerald can still press for a Test place with a positive display today, although Ugo Monye remains the front-runner for the number 11 shirt.

For today’s game, scrum-half Mike Blair faces a late fitness test on a foot injury. If he is ruled out, Harry Ellis can expect promotion off the bench, with Shane Williams providing number nine cover.

The Southern Kings, coached by former Ulster coach Alan Solomons will be playing their first ever fixture in a new stadium built especially for next year’s soccer World Cup.

His team features former Harlequins centre De Wet Barry and ex Bath backs Wylie Human and Frikkie Welsh.

Meanwhile Ireland’s Tommy Bowe has been called up to the Lions squad to face the Southern Kings as cover for Shane Williams. The Welshman was due to start on the right wing in Port Elizabeth but is now a doubt after complaining of a stomach bug.

Coach Ian McGeechan is already short of options on the wing today, after Leigh Halfpenny returned home injured and Rob Kearney suffered a dead leg against Western Province.

The coach will be hopeful Bowe is not needed, given he is a shoo-in for the Test team on Saturday and has Ugo Monye on the bench as well.