The real hard work starts here

BRITISH and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan has rubbished the notion that he went for brawn over brain in plotting his strategy to lower the colours of world champions in the three-test series that kicks off here tomorrow.

McGeechan has gone for power in the team for the opening match in Durban – with a third of the team Irish – but insists that physicality wasn’t the major factor in his selection, either for the tour itself or the opening Test in Kings Park.

O’Connell is joined by Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip and David Wallace, although two more Irish players were squeezed out, Ronan O’Gara losing out to Welshman Stephen Jones and Donncha O’Callaghan to Alun-Wyn Jones.