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Byrne Earns Late Promotion

Byrne Earns Late Promotion

Shane Byrne has earned a late call-up to the Lions side for today’s third Test against the All Blacks. The Ireland hooker takes the place of Steve Thompson, who has a viral problem.

Shane Byrne has earned a late call-up to the Lions side for today’s third Test against the All Blacks. The ex-Leinster hooker takes the place of Steve Thompson, who has a viral problem.

2005 Lions Tour: Saturday, July 9
New Zealand v Lions, Eden Park, Auckland, 8.10am Irish time (Live Sky Sports 1/RTE Radio 1)

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Scotland’s Gordon Bulloch – the Lions’ midweek captain – takes Byrne’s place on the bench.

The loss of Thompson is seen as a huge blow to head coach Sir Clive Woodward, whose team will be whitewashed if they lose for a third successive weekend.

Thompson played his way into the Lions’ second Test line-up, after Aughrim man Byrne failed to find his lineout targets in the first Test in Christchurch.

NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (Captain), Sitiveni Sivivatu; Luke McAlister, Byron Kelleher; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Rodney So’oialo, Sione Lauaki.

Replacements: Derren Witcombe, Campbell Johnstone, James Ryan, Marty Holah, Justin Marshall, Nick Evans, Doug Howlett.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:

(15) Geordan Murphy (Leicester/Ireland)
(14) Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks/England)
(13) Will Greenwood (NEC Harlequins/England)
(12) Gareth Thomas (Toulouse/Wales) (Captain)
(11) Josh Lewsey (Wasps/England)
(10) Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne/Wales)
(9) Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets/Wales)
(1) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
(2) Shane Byrne (Leinster/Ireland)
(3) Julian White (Leicester/England)
(4) Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
(5) Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland)
(6) Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets/Ireland)
(7) Lewis Moody (Leicester/England)
(8) Ryan Jones (The Ospreys/Wales)

Replacements:

(16) Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow/Scotland)
(17) Graham Rowntree (Leicester/England)
(18) Martin Corry (Leicester/England)
(19) Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
(20) Matt Dawson (Wasps/England)
(21) Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
(22) Shane Horgan (Leinster/Ireland)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)