Easterby Makes Lions Bench

Recent call-up Simon Easterby has been drafted onto the British and Irish Lions’ replacements bench for tomorrow’s tussle with the NZ Maori, following an injury to Scotland back row Simon Taylor.

Lions Tour 2005: Saturday, June 11
New Zealand Maori v Lions, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 8.10am (live Sky Sports 1, RTE Radio 1)

Taylor had a flare-up of the hamstring injury that has dogged his tour so far, and his starting place at number 8 has gone to Wales’ Michael Owen, with Easterby acting as back row back-up.

Paul O’Connell is vice-captain for the Lions’ visit to Hamilton. Ireland duo Brian O’Driscoll (captain) and Gordon D’Arcy will form the tourists’ midfield tomorrow.

Munster lock O’Connell takes over the vice-captaincy from England back row Lawrence Dallaglio, whose tour was unfortunately ended last weekend due to a dislocated ankle.

In what is termed the unofficial “fourth Test”, Sir Clive Woodward’s side is dominated by seven England players – including an all-English 54-stone plus front row of Andrew Sheridan, Steve Thompson and Julian White.

Joining the aforementioned trio of Irishmen will be five Wales players, including Owen, who has been bumped up from the bench.

Owen’s Wales colleague Ryan Jones has also been called up to the tour to provide back row cover.

Along with Easterby, Leinster and Ireland pair Shane Byrne and Shane Horgan have been listed amongst tomorrow’s replacements, with Ronan O’Gara, the kicker of two conversions against the Bay of Plenty, acting as cover for debutant fly-half Stephen Jones.

Six starters from last Saturday’s 34-20 over at the Bay of Plenty, including skipper O’Driscoll, will take to the Waikato Stadium turf.

Commenting on the O’Driscoll-D’Arcy centre partnership, Ireland coach and Lions assistant coach Eddie O’Sullivan said: “We are looking at all possibilities as we move towards the Test series. Gordon and Brian have played successfully together for Ireland and this is again another possible combination that might show up later on in the tour.”

The Maori, who will boast nine All-Blacks in Saturday’s line-up, have never beaten the Lions in seven previous meetings between 1930 and 1993.

NZ Maori: Leon MacDonald; Rico Gear, Rua Tipoki, Luke McAlister, Caleb Ralph; David Hill, Piri Weepu; Deacon Manu, Corey Flynn, Carl Hayman, Ross Filipo, Sean Hohneck, Jono Gibbes (Capt), Marty Holah, Angus MacDonald.

Replacements: Scott Linklater, Greg Feek, Daniel Braid, Wayne Ormond, Craig McGrath, Carlos Spencer, Neil Brew.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:

(15) Josh Lewsey (London Wasps/England)

(14) Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

(13) Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland) (Captain)
(12) Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)

(11) Shane Williams (The Ospreys/Wales)

(10) Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne/Wales)

(9) Matt Dawson (London Wasps/England)

(1) Andy Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
(2) Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints/England)
(3) Julian White (Leicester Tigers/England)
(4) Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
(5) Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) (Vice-Captain)
(6) Richard Hill (Saracens/England)
(7) Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

(8) Michael Owen (Newport-Gwent Dragons/Wales)

Replacements:

(16) Shane Byrne (Leinster/Ireland)
(17) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
(18) Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers/England)
(19) Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets/Ireland)

(20) Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets/Wales)
(21) Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)

(22) Shane Horgan (Leinster/Ireland)

Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)