THE LIONS ARE two from two and looking for a challenge but disaster, in the form of injuries, has struck. Cian Healy (ankle ligament damage) will arrive back in Ireland soon and Gethin Jenkins (calf) once again misses out on the action. Today, they face Quade Cooper and the Queensland Reds.
Let’s get you up to speed:
On the Lions’ menu
Ewen McKenzie – the chap that was courted by the IRFU but really wants to manage Australia – leads his Queensland Reds side into combat with the Lions today. This should be the first real tester of the tour but the Reds are still without players from the national squad such as Will Genia and James Horwill.
Nonethless, a Reds side cannily coached by McKenzie (a handy scribe with the Sydney Morning Herald), captained by the mercurial Quade Cooper and featuring Beau Robinson in the back row, should do some damage. Warren Gatland gives Tommy Bowe a trial on the left wing and is delighted to have captain Sam Warburton back in the world of the breakdown contesting.
Quote from the camp
It has been tough to watch the last two games and knowing that the players have their jerseys in the kitbags and I haven’t got one yet. I’m dying to get on the pitch on Saturday. The game can’t come quick enough.”
- Lions captain Sam Warburton is ready to go
Pic of The Day
We’re not sure if Tommy Bowe fully gets the concept of waterpolo:
‘On me ‘ead son!’ (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
You’ve got to see this
A Lions 2013 Tour and Game of Thrones mash-up video. All over this one:
YouTube credit: VGoro HD Rugby
Lions on the prowl
Corporate sponsorship taken to insane, new levels here as Lions Sean Maitland, Mako Vunipola and Manu Tuilagi play Halo 4 – that’s HALO 4(!) – on the XBox live with gamers back in the UK. The mind boggles.
Tweet of The Day
Gethin Jenkins may be injured today but he’s still making an impact on the Lions’ 100% goalkicker:
Credit: @LeighHalfpenny1
What the Aussies say
“According to the Wallabies coach, this one match could get Quade into the squad, which will have the fly-half battling between his head (play down the right end, no mistakes) and his heart (triple miss no-look pass behind own goal line). If that wasn’t enough pressure he’s also captain. Looking very much in Jonny Sexton’s shadow, Owen Farrell is also under the pump.”
- Matt Rowley of Green and Gold Rugby
‘BIL’ watch
BIL could see from miles away that Healy never chomped on that bald Aussie scrumhalf. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
*TheScore.ie will be liveblogging the Lions v Queensland Reds from 10am today.
