Emerging Lions excite Geech

BRITISH and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan admits he cannot wait to see the class of 2009 in competitive action for the first time tomorrow.

McGeechan has named nine Lions debutants, including 21-year-old Ireland centre Keith Earls and England flanker Joe Worsley, for the opening match of their tour of South Africa. And the former Wasps boss is excited at the prospect of seeing the new side take shape against a Royal XV in Rustenburg.

“I don’t know what is going to come out on Saturday, in some respects,” McGeechan said.

“We’re ready to play. We’ll have rough edges and things to work on, we know that, but I think everyone is ready for the game and wanting to play.”

BRITISH LIONS V ROYAL XV
Lee Byrne, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Ronan O’Gara, Mike Blair;  Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Simon Shaw, Paul O’Connell (capt), Joe Worsley, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell.

Replacements: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Alun-Wyn Jones, Stephen Ferris, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Riki Flutey