Tadhg Beirne: Uncertainty means every Lion must seize his moment

Three days self-isolating has given the Munster lock fresh perspective on Lions tour

British and Irish Lions’ Tadhg Beirne makes a charge for the tryline in Saturday’s victory over the Cell C Sharks at the Loftus Versfield Stadium, Pretoria. Picture : Steve Haag/PA Wire

Tadhg Beirne picked a good time to get “a bit lucky” for the British & Irish Lions but after spending three days self-isolating following last week’s Covid-19 scare in the tourists’ camp he recognises the importance of grasping opportunities when they come his way.

It was modesty, no doubt, that prompted Beirne’s description of his two tries for the Lions in a 71-31 win over the Cell C Sharks in Pretoria on Saturday night. Yet having been withdrawn from the matchday squad for the first meeting against the Natal side four days earlier when what were thought to have been two positive test results sent a number of close contacts to their rooms as a protective measure, the versatile forward knew that chances to play for the Lions, let alone stake a claim for Test selection later this month, are not to be taken lightly.