Few shocks as Lions have much in reserve

AFTER all the speculation, the Lions side to contest tomorrow’s opening test was widely predictable and lacked the bolter element of Paul Wallace and Jeremy Davidson 12 years ago.

The inclusion of Henrick Brussow on the Springbok side ensured that when the Lions management discussed their selection to contest the all-important breakdown area, the temptation to include Martyn Williams must have been huge.

With the certainty that Warren Gatland would want Tom Croft in the back row to help counter South Africa’s supreme lineout, the possibility of accommodating both Williams and David Wallace in the trio was not possible. In any case Williams has had a fragmented tour due to injury and has to be content with a place on the bench.

Wallace had to be in the team because of his pace and physical presence, which will be so badly needed in the contact area.

The call between Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara must have been very tight and the Welshman’s greater understanding with Test certainty Mike Phillips swung the balance in his favour. However, the Lions kicking game is set to play a big part in this test, particularly with Frans Steyn at full back. I expect that O’Gara will still play a vital role off the bench.

In the only other contentious area Ugo Moyne is included on the basis of his try-scoring exploits, which have placed him marginally ahead of Luke Fitzgerald. Rob Kearney’s dead leg against Western Province scuppered his chance of competing for a wing position but he’s been rewarded with a bench place.

In contrast to the side selected for the opening test four years ago, the Lions XV is picked on form but will need to show a lot more, despite reaching this stage of the tour unbeaten.

The talk out here is that there is far more in the arsenal than has been revealed thus far. One suspects that there will have to be.