O’Driscoll in chance to heal Lions scars
IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll will have a chance to exorcise demons when he skippers the British and Irish Lions tomorrow against Golden Lions.
O’Driscoll will lead the team for the first time since his ill-fated 2005 tour, when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in the first minute of the opening Test against New Zealand.
The Grand Slam-winning captain is one of 12 changes to the team that beat the Royal XV on Saturday, as head coach Ian McGeechan looks to give all of his players a start in one of the first three games.
Ireland full-back Rob Kearney, England pair Ugo Monye and Tom Croft and Scotland lock Nathan Hines will make Lions debuts in tomorrow evening’s clash. Wales duo Mike Phillips and Alun-Wyn Jones, England front-row pair Phil Vickery and Lee Mears, and Ireland No8 Jamie Heaslip are promoted from the bench.
O’Driscoll, Wales fly-half Stephen Jones and international colleague Gethin Jenkins are the other players to come in. Ireland’s David Wallace, who switches to openside flanker, Wales centre Jamie Roberts and Ireland wing Tommy Bowe are the only players to retain their places.
“The starting XV is very different,” said McGeechan. “Our intention is that all players will play a full match in the first three matches on tour.”
LIONS XV TO PLAY GOLDEN LIONS
Robert Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Ugo Monye, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Nathan Hines, Alun-Wyn Jones, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Stephen Ferris, Andy Powell, Harry Ellis, James Hook, Shane Williams.