Four Irish To Start Against Manawatu

Four Ireland players – Geordan Murphy, Gordon D’Arcy, John Hayes and Donncha O’Callaghan – are to start for the Lions against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Tuesday.

2005 Lions Tour: Tuesday, June 28
Manawatu v Lions, Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North, 8.10am Irish time (live Sky Sports 1/RTE Radio 1)

The Irish quartet have been joined in the Lions’ midweek panel by fly-half Ronan O’Gara, whose Test chances are looking increasingly limited on tour.

The tourists’ selection sees England duo Jason Robinson and Martin Corry brought back into midweek action after poor display in Saturday’s 21-3 first Test loss to the All Blacks.

Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Ben Kay and Gethin Jenkins were not considered for the Manawatu clash because of minor knocks, while Gavin Henson misses out due to a slight groin strain.

Wales lock Brent Cockbain, a tour replacement for the suspended Danny Grewcock, earns an immediate chance off the bench. Cockbain will link up with the Lions from Australia, rather than the from Britain, removing any prospect of jet lag.

Midweek coach Ian McGeechan admitted: “The players selected for the Manawatu game have a big responsibility now to play good rugby and get us back to winning ways.

“That would give us a big lift as we move towards Saturday and a Test we simply have to win.”

MANAWATU: Frank Bryant; Bevan Gray, Jason Campbell, Matt Oldrige, Johnny Leota; Graeme Smith, Jonathan Hargreaves; Sam Moore, Nathan Kemp (Capt), Keni Barrett, Paul Rodgers, Tim Faleafaga, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bradnock, Brian Matenga.

Replacements: Simon Easton, Isaac Cook, Paula Maisiri, Chris Moke, David Palu, Nicholas Buckley, Ben Trew.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:

(15) Geordan Murphy (Leicester/Ireland)
(14) Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks/England)
(13) Ollie Smith (Leicester/England)
(12) Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)
(11) Shane Williams (The Ospreys/Wales)
(10) Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks/England)
(9) Chris Cusiter (The Borders/Scotland)
(1) Andy Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)
(2) Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow/Scotland) (Captain)
(3) John Hayes (Munster/Ireland)
(4) Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
(5) Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)

(6) Martin Corry (Leicester/England)
(7) Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
(8) Michael Owen (Newport-Gwent Dragons/Wales)

Replacements:

(16) Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks/England)
(17) Matt Stevens (Bath/England)
(18) Brent Cockbain (The Ospreys/Wales)
(19) Neil Back (Leicester)
(20) Gareth Cooper (Newport-Gwent Dragons/Wales)
(21) Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
(22) Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks/England)

Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)