Ferris worry for Lions

The British and Irish Lions are sweating on the fitness of one of their potential Test stars only 11 days before tackling world champions South Africa.

Ireland Grand Slam winner Stephen Ferris has undergone a scan on his right knee after pulling up in training.

And, while the Lions medical team await a full assessment, there was worrying news about another squad member – Wales international Leigh Halfpenny.

The Cardiff Blues wing arrived late in South Africa after remaining at home for intensive treatment on a thigh injury. He made his first tour start against the Cheetahs last Saturday.

“He has aggravated his old injury,” said Lions assistant coach Shaun Edwards, who confirmed Halfpenny would also be scanned.

“He recovered very quickly from the last time. It is nowhere near as bad as that, so we will wait and see. Scans are amazing things nowadays, so we will wait to see what that says.

“He was doing some extra training at the end of a session, practising his kicking, and he just felt it strain up a little bit.”

Ferris, meanwhile, is in a head-to-head for the Lions’ Test number six jersey with England flanker Tom Croft.

Croft starts against the Sharks tomorrow night, but Ferris has already made his mark through strong contributions during victories over the Golden Lions and Cheetahs, scoring a try in each game.

Ferris is not involved at ABSA Stadium tomorrow, but Halfpenny’s place on the bench has been taken by his Wales colleague James Hook.

With the selection race gathering pace towards next week’s first Springboks encounter, several players will need to make an impression on Lions head coach Ian McGeechan.

And that list probably includes Wales speedster Shane Williams, the 2008 world player of the year whose tour has yet to take off.

Williams’ Ospreys team-mate Tommy Bowe and Harlequins’ Ugo Monye are current favourites for the Test wing slots, although Williams – especially given his dynamic try-scoring prowess – cannot be discounted.

He is back in action only five days after conceding an interception score to Cheetahs centre Corne Uys – and the pressure is on.

“I expect Shane to continue to defend the way he has been on this trip. He has stepped up to the plate, defensively,” added Edwards.

“I’ve said to him that players like him who are touching the ball and playing right in the faces of the defence, at certain times are going to get passes picked off.

“He has to continue to do that, don’t be scared and don’t go back on the wing, hoping the game passes by.

“He has got to continue to force himself on to the game. In training yesterday he had a real spring in his step and I am really looking forward to him playing.”

The Lions will tackle a Sharks team shorn of Test stars like John Smit, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar and Adi Jacobs, who are currently in camp with the Springboks.

And, while the Lions can still expect a fierce battle from South Africa’s second-ranked Super 14 side – their line-up features Springboks such as Deon Carstens, Johann Muller and Jannie du Plessis – Sharks coach John Plumtree believes the absence of so many top names is unfortunate.

“Personally, I think the (South African) provinces should be at full strength,” said former Swansea boss Plumtree, who coached Wellington against the 2005 Lions.

“A tour like this is unique and there should be less emphasis on just winning Test matches, more a celebration of rugby.

“It’s a pity we don’t have a full-strength Sharks tomorrow.

“It is not a criticism, it’s just a real pity. It seems to be the way of the modern Lions tour.”

If the Lions are to make it four wins out of four – they’ve never lost in 10 previous meetings stretching back 99 years – then breakdown supremacy and vastly-reduced turnovers will be vital.

“The breakdown and what goes on at the ruck in terms of quick ball is the most important part of the game,” admitted Lions skipper Paul O’Connell.

“We’ve been working on it and we will continue to work on it right up until the end of the tour.

“With three games to go, we are halfway through the build-up before the first Test and probably places are still up for grabs.

“The more I think the squad believes that and the more it continues that way, the happier the squad will be.”