Sad Lions - Well played, bad result!

LIONS TOUR 2009 FIXTURES
30 May: Highveld XV; Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg
3 June: Golden Lions; Ellis Park, Johannesburg
6 June: Cheetahs; Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
10 June: Sharks; ABSA Park, Durban (6.30pm Spain)
13 June: Western Province; Newlands, Cape Town (2.30pm Spain)
16/17 June: Coastal XV; Port Elizabeth (Venue TBC) (2.30pm Spain)
20 June: South Africa (first Test); ABSA Park, Durban (2.30pm Spain)
23 June: Emerging Springboks; Newlands, Cape Town (6.30pm Spain)
27 June: South Africa (second Test); Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (2.30pm Spain)
4 July: South Africa (third Test); Ellis Park, Johannesburg (2.30pm Spain)
Backs:
Lee Byrne (Wales), Rob Kearney (Ireland), Shane Williams (Wales), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Ugo Monye (England), Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Tom Shanklin (Wales), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Keith Earls (Ireland), Riki Flutey (England), Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Stephen Jones (Wales), Mike Phillips (Wales), Harry Ellis (England), Tomás O'Leary (Ireland).
Replacements: Mike Blair (Scotland) for O’Leary, Tom Croft (England) for Quinlan, James Hook (Wales), Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland), Ryan Jones (Wales) for injured Stephen Ferris (Ulster / Ireland). John Hayes (Ireland), Tim Payne (England).


Forwards:
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Andy Powell (Wales), David Wallace (Ireland), Stephen Ferris (Ireland), Alan Quinlan (Ireland), Joe Worsley (England), Martyn Williams (Wales), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell - captain (Ireland), Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland), Simon Shaw (England), Nathan Hines (Scotland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Andrew Sheridan (England), Phil Vickery (England), Euan Murray (Scotland), Jerry Flannery (Ireland), Lee Mears (England), Matthew Rees (Wales).









South Africa 9-28 Lions

South Africa v Lions – 3rd Test (2.30pm Spain)

R Kearney (Leinster and Ireland); U Monye (Harlequins and England), T Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland), R Flutey (Wasps and England), S Williams (Ospreys and Wales); S Jones (Scarlets and Wales), M Phillips (Ospreys and Wales); A Sheridan (Sale and England), M Rees (Scarlets and Wales), P Vickery (Wasps and England), S Shaw (Wasps and England), P O'Connell (Munster and Ireland, capt), J Worsley (Wasps and England), M Williams (Cardiff and Wales), J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland).

Replacements: R Ford (Edinburgh and Scotland), J Hayes (Munster and Ireland), A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales), D Wallace (Munster and Ireland), T Croft (Leicester and England), H Ellis (Leicester and England), J Hook (Ospreys and Wales)

The South Africa team to face the British and Irish Lions in the third Test in Johannesburg on Saturday is:

Z Kirchner (Bulls); O Ndungane (Sharks), J Fourie (Lions), W Olivier (Bulls), J Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), F du Preez (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), C Ralepelle (Bulls), J Smit (Sharks), J Muller (Sharks), V Matfield (Bulls), H Brussow (Cheetahs), J Smith (Cheetahs), R Kankowski (Sharks).

Replacements: B du Plessis (Sharks), G Steenkamp (Bulls), D Carstens (Sharks), S Sykes (Sharks), P Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).






South Africa v Lions - 2nd Test (2.30pm Spain)
South Africa 28-25 Lions

British and Irish Lions v South Africa on Saturday at 2.00pm:

R Kearney; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll , J Roberts, L Fitzgerald; S Jones, M Phillips; G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jones, S Shaw, England, P O'Connell (capt), T Croft, D Wallace (Munster and Ireland), J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland).

Replacements:
R Ford (Edinburgh and Scotland), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks and England), A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales), M Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), H Ellis (Leicester and England), R O'Gara (Munster and Ireland), S Williams (Ospreys and Wales).

South Africa: F Steyn; JP Pietersen, A Jacobs, J de Villiers, B Habana; R Pienaar, F du Preez; T Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J Smit, B Botha, V Matfield , S Burger, J Smith, P Spies.

Replacements: C Ralepelle,, D Carstens, A Bekker, D Rossouw, H Brussow, J Fourie, M Steyn.


Emerging Springboks 13-13 Lions

British and Irish Lions team to play the Emerging Springboks at Newlands, Cape Town, on Tuesday 23 June at 6.10pm:

Keith Earls, Shane Williams, Riki Flutey, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan O'Gara (Captain), Harry Ellis, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Joe Worsley, Nathan Hines, Donncha O'Callaghan, John Hayes, Ross Ford, Tim Payne.
Replacements: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Simon Shaw, David Wallace, Mike Blair, James Hook, Ugo Monye.

Lousy weather conditions but the lions did not play well enough to win. Lat kick of the match for the draw with a conversion.




South Africa 26–21 British & Irish Lions

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland) Captain
4. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements
16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
18. Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
19. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
22. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)

Eight scrums, three penalties, nine points. Adios Vickery and probably Monye. How about S Jones also?



6th match: Southern Kings XV (2.30pm Spain)
Southern Kings 8-20 Lions

Lions team to play Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday 16 June:
Keith Earls, Ugo Monye, Riki Flutey, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, James Hook, Mike Blair, Andy Powell, Joe Worsley, Nathan Hines, Donncha O'Callaghan (captain), Simon Shaw, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Andrew Sheridan

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Harry Ellis, Ronan O'Gara, Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe.

Hard tough game but the Lions did not play well.

5th match - 13 Western Province v Lions (2.30pm Spain)
Western Province 23-26 Lions

Wales back Hook struck four minutes from time, rifling over a 50-metre strike that thwarted the home side's superb fightback.

Tries from man-of-the-match Tommy Bowe and his fellow wing Ugo Monye, Flanker Martyn Williams also added a try, while two Stephen Jones penalties and a conversion also contributed towards the victory.

A close win.

R Kearney; T Bowe, K Earls, R Flutey, U Monye, S Jones, H Ellis, A Sheridan, M Rees, P Vickery, D O'Callaghan, N Hines, J Worsley, M William, A Powell .
Replacements: R Ford, S Shaw, T Croft, M Blair,, Shane Williams J Hook, G D'Arcy.


4th Match: 10 June: v. Sharks; ABSA Park, Durban (6.30pm Spain)
Sharks 3-39 Lions

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales)
14. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)
10. Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland) captain
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements:
16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)
17. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
18. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)
19. Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England)
20. Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)
21. Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England)
22. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

Hooker Lee Mears, scrum-half Mike Phillips, wing Luke Fitzgerald, full-back Lee Byrne and number eight Jamie Heaslip scored tries, while 12 points from the boot of fly-half Ronan O'Gara and a late James Hook conversion sealed an emphatic success.

Sharks 3-39 Lions

3rd match vs Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, Bloemfontein.
06/06 Sat. - kick-off 15:00.
Free State Cheetahs 24 v 26 British & Irish Lions

Not a great game by the Lions.
Tries by flanker Stephen Ferris and centre Keith Earls.

15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys / Wales)
14. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues / Wales)
13. Keith Earls (Munster / Ireland)
12. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster / Ireland)
11. Shane Williams (Ospreys / Wales)
10. James Hook (Ospreys / Wales)
9. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers / England)
8. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues / Wales)
7. Joe Worsley (London Wasps / England)
6. Stephen Ferris (Ulster / Ireland)
5. Paul O’Connell (Munster / Ireland – Captain)
4. Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster / Ireland)
3. Euan Murray (Northampton Saints / Scotland)
2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh / Scotland)
1. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks / England)
Replacements
16. Matthew Rees (Scarlets / Wales)
17. Adam Jones (Ospreys / Wales)
18. Simon Shaw (London Wasps / England)
19. Nathan Hines (Perpignan / Scotland)
20. Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster / Ireland)
21. Ronan O’Gara (Munster / Ireland)
22. Mike Blair (Edinburgh / Scotland)




2nd match V. Golden Lions; Ellis Park, Johannesburg
03/06
Golden Lions 10-74 Lions – No contest


Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Ugo Monye; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Tom Croft, Alun-Wyn Jones, Nathan Hines, Phil Vickery, Lee Mears, Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements:

Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Stephen Ferris, Andy Powell, Harry Ellis, James Hook, Shane Williams.
Referee: Craig Joubert

British & Irish Lions (vs Golden Lions)
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)
10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. David Wallace (Munster/Ireland)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
4. Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England)
2. Lee Mears (Bath/England)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
Replacements
16. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)
17. Euan Murray (Northampton Saints/Scotland)
18. Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland)
19. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)
21. James Hook (Ospreys/Wales)
22. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)
Centre Jamie Roberts and wing Tommy Bowe were stars of the show, each claiming try doubles with performances that had Test class stamped all over them.
England wing Ugo Monye also crossed twice, while captain Brian O'Driscoll, flanker Tom Croft, fly-half James Hook and flanker Stephen Ferris added to the 10-try rout.
Fly-half Stephen Jones chipped in with 18 points from the boot, while Hook slotted three late conversions.


1st Match V. Royal Highveld XV. Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg

Lions: Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales); Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland); Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland - captain), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales). David Wallace

Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath/England), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England). Jamie Heaslip
For the unavailable IN: David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip

Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa).
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/rugby/lions-2009/2009/highveld-xv-lions-280743.html
Royal XV 25-37 Lions

The blundering British and Irish Lions narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat as their South Africa tour spluttered into life.


1st Test prediction of team Eddie Butler.

15 Lee Byrne; 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Brian O'Driscoll 12 Riki Flutey 11 Shane Williams; 10 Stephen Jones 9 Mike Phillips; 1 Gethin Jenkins 2 Lee Mears 3 Euan Murray 4 Nathan Hines 5 Paul O'Connell 6 Stephen Ferris 7 Martyn Williams 8 David Wallace

2nd Test prediction of team Eddie Butler.

15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Lee Mears, 3 Phil Vickery, 4 Nathan Hines, 5 Paul O'Connell, 6 Stephen Ferris, 7 David Wallace, 8 Jamie Heaslip.

3rd Test prediction of team Eddie Butler.
15 Lee Byrne 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Brian O'Driscoll 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Ugo Monye 10 Stephen Jones 9 Mike Phillips 1 Gethin Jenkins 2 Lee Mears 3 Phil Vickery 4 Nathan Hines 5 Paul O'Connell 6 Stephen Ferris 7 David Wallace 8 Jamie Heaslip.

4th Test prediction of team Eddie Butler.


15 Lee Byrne; 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Brian O'Driscoll 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Luke Fitzgerald; 10 Stephen Jones 9 Mike Phillips; 1 Gethin Jenkins 2 Lee Mears 3 Phil Vickery; 4 Nathan Hines 5 Paul O'Connell; 6 Tom Croft 7 David Wallace 8 Jamie Heaslip.

5th Test prediction of team Eddie Butler.
Byrne; Bowe, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Monye; S Jones, Phillips; Jenkins, Mears, Vickery, Hines, O'Connell, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip.