Irish pair receive Lions call

Ireland got its first two names on the plane to Australia for next summer’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia yesterday when baggage-master Patrick ‘Rala’ O’Reilly and logistics officer Ger Carmody were named as part of Warren Gatland’s management team.

Although the playing squad won’t be announced until next year, head coach Gatland confirmed the core of his backroom team at a briefing yesterday morning.

Rala is one of the best-loved figures in Irish rugby, and his selection is no surprise having been involved with the national team here for more than 15 years. He made his Lions debut as bag-man in 2009, while it Carmody will be making his first Lions trip.