Blair Announced As O’Leary’s Lions Replacement

Edinburgh and Scotland scrum half Mike Blair has been selected by British & Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan and his assistant coaches to replace the injured Tomas O’Leary for the upcoming tour to South Africa.

Tomas O’Leary, the 25-year-old Ireland scrum half, suffered a fractured ankle in April while playing for his province Munster in the Magners League.

Commenting on the replacement situation for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, coach Ian McGeechan said: “Sport can be very cruel. One minute Tomas was celebrating his well earned call-up to the Lions tour to South Africa, the next he is being carried off injured while playing for Munster against the Scarlets in Cork.

“Unfortunately the injury was a serious one and it ruled Tomas out of the tour. We wish Tomas all the very best for a quick recovery.

“The selectors and I have had plenty of time to review the situation in terms of a replacement scrum half and were in agreement that Mike Blair should replace Tomas.

“Mike was on our reserve list for such an eventuality. He is an excellent addition to the British & Irish Lions squad.

“As a national captain he is well respected by his peers and his 58 Tests for Scotland mark him as a very capable and experienced scrum half,” he added.