Eight Irish set to be involved in opening Lions test against the Springboks

Eight of Ireland’s victorious 2009 Grand Slam winning side are set to be involved in the opening test against the Springboks on Saturday in Durban, Irish lock Paul O’Connell skippers the unbeaten tourists as they face the World Champions to start the three match test series.
O’Connell is joined in the starting fifteen by Vice Captain and Irish skipper Brian O’Driscoll and his Heineken Cup winning team mate Jamie Heaslip, Munster star David Wallace and Irish winger Tommy Bowe.
Ronan O’Gara, midweek skipper Donnacha O’Callaghan and fullback Rob Kearney are all among the replacements.

British and Irish Lions team to play South Africa in the first Test in Durban on Saturday:
L Byrne (Wales and Ospreys); T Bowe (Ireland and Ospreys), B O’Driscoll (Ireland and Leinster), J Roberts (Wales and Cardiff Blues), U Monye (England and Harlequins); S Jones (Wales and Scarlets), M Phillips (Wales and Ospreys); G Jenkins (Wales and Cardiff Blues), L Mears (England and Bath), P Vickery (England and Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales and Ospreys), P O’Connell (Ireland and Munster, capt), T Croft (England and Leicester), D Wallace (Ireland and Munster), J Heaslip (Ireland and Leinster).
Replacements: M Rees (Wales and Scarlets), A Jones (Wales and Ospreys), D O’Callaghan (Ireland and Munster), M Williams (Wales and Cardiff Blues), H Ellis(England and Leicester), R O’Gara (Ireland and Munster), R Kearney (Ireland and Leinster).

Bob "The Voice" McKenzie Twitter: @BobTheVoice About: