Lions Squad and Fixtures

[Thequeerone]

Lions coach Ian McGeechan has announced a 37-man squad for the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

more info at: http://www.irishrugby.ie/283_16917.php


2009 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD:

Full-Backs:
Lee Byrne (Wales)
Rob Kearney (Ireland)

Wingers:
Shane Williams (Wales)
Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Ugo Moyne (England)
Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland)
Tommy Bowe (Ireland)

Centres:
Tom Shanklin (Wales)
Jamie Roberts (Wales)
Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
Keith Earls (Ireland)
Riki Flutey (England)

Out-Halves:
Ronan O'Gara (Ireland)
Stephen Jones (Wales)

Scrum Halves:
Mike Phillips (Wales)
Harry Ellis (England)
Tomas O'Leary (Ireland)

Number 8s:
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Andy Powell (Wales)

Flankers:
David Wallace (Ireland)
Stephen Ferris (Ireland)
Alan Quinlan (Ireland)
Joe Worsley (England)
Martyn Williams (Wales)

Locks:
Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Paul O'Connell (Ireland) (capt)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland)
Simon Shaw (England)
Nathan Hines (Scotland)

Props:
Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
Adam Jones (Wales)
Andrew Sheridan (England)
Phil Vickery (England)
Euan Murray (Scotland)

Hookers:
Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
Lee Mears (England)
Matthew Rees (Wales)

2009 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR FIXTURES:

May 30: v Highveld XV, Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg
June 3: v Golden Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
June 6: v Cheetahs, Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
June 10: v Sharks, ABSA Park, Durban
June 13: v Western Province, Newlands, Cape Town
June 16: v Coastal XV, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
June 20: v South Africa (first Test), ABSA Park, Durban
June 23: v Emerging Springboks, Newlands, Cape Town
June 27: v South Africa (second Test), Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
July 4: v South Africa (third Test), Ellis Park, Johannesburg

[sandgroperrugby]

Why dont they call it the Welsh and Irish Lions

[Burgs]

That's a pretty serious slap in the face to the home of Rugby, time they pulled their finger out!

RWC Winners in '03 to 8 in the Lions on '09 is a pretty incredible fall from grace.

Without having seen the 6N it is hard to comment on the sad number of Scots but probably reflects their postion as well?

[slomo]

a lot of quality players missed out, ryan jones, mike blair, chris patterson, james hook, to name but a few, i expect the lions to be better orginised this time around.....
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[Batto]

Does anyone know who will be televising the British Lions tour

[jargan83]

Fox Sports I would imagine, they show all the Tests from South Africa

[Batto]

Cheers, Hopefully as long as it aint ONE HD with adverts every 5 minutes and crap commentary!

[jargan83]

it would probably have been included in the TV rights last time they were negotiated, so pretty doubtfull that ONE HD would be anywhere near it
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[KenyaQuin]

Go the Lions.

Computer reconfigured for more space, internet speed at super fast, a good ratio and loose credit on Diwana and I'm all set for the Tour.

Crush those Bokke.

[lara93]

July 4: v South Africa (third Test), Ellis Park, Johannesburg

i miss that game by a day!!!
damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[slomo]

its going to be a great test rugby season this time around, lets get this tour out the way then look forward to the lions trip to Australia in 4 years time....."3 weeks off work please!!"

[JediKnight]

Can't wait....the true pinnacle of rugby.....the best of the Lions against the World Champions. If it's anything like the last Lions tour to South Africa then we're in for a treat.

[welshrugbyfan]

Lets hope they have the same success as the 1974 invincible Lions tour, the last test was a draw however but they never lost I suppose.

Ryan Jones should have gotten a spot and Chris Patterson. Super Shane will suffer with injuries now and the new messiah in Lee Halfpenny will shine.

The fullback spot is a hot one, I would love either Lee Byrne or Rob Kearney in a Force top.

Lets also grab Tommy Bowe and Halfpenny on the wings, Mike Phillips as our half back and Paul O'Connell in the second row.

Should be a good tour. I guess in four years the Force will be playing against them.

[oxleymoron]

I guess in four years the Force will be playing against them.

I would hope so, considering they are playing the cheetahs, lions and 15 blokes in port elizabeth who have formed a pub team pushing for inclusion in S15, if the yarpies are still having wet dreams.

[jargan83]

the true pinnacle of rugby

Rugby World Cup?

Then again it must be nice for you to go for an International side that wins once every 4 years

(didn't the Lions lose to NZ 3-0 in 2005?)