British & Irish Lions Tour Manager, Gerald Davies, and Head Coach Ian McGeechan, on Thursday announced the Lions’ team for the second Test of the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series against the Springboks. The selected team will play at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday June 27th and will be led by Ireland’s Paul O’Connell.

Davies said, “The players know they came desperately close to winning the first Test in Durban. They have put that disappointment behind them as we head to Pretoria for one of the toughest challenges a team can face - playing South Africa at home at Loftus Versfeld. Buoyed by remaining unbeaten in the provincial matches the Lions are definitely ready for the challenge.”

Commenting on the team selection, McGeechan said, “As a squad the Lions still have everything to play for. The players know that the outcome of the Test series comes down to Saturday and they are determined to take the series to a decider in Johannesburg.

“There were many positives to come out of the First Test which we have built upon this week.

“We have made five changes to the starting XV but it will not change the way we want to play. Both teams will be better for the run last weekend and we know we will have to step up our performance to ensure that we again take the game to the opposition and are more accurate in taking our opportunities.

“The starting XV is an interesting one in that we have an all Welsh front row for an official Lions Test match for the first time since 1955*. We also have an all-Irish back three. I am also delighted for Simon Shaw who will play in first Lions Test after three tours and 16 matches in the famous red shirt,” added McGeechan.

* Graham Price, Bobby Windsor, Charlie Faulkner played for Lions against Fiji in 1977.

British & Irish Lions versus South Africa on Saturday 27th June:

15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)

14. Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland)

13. Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)

12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

11. Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland)

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. Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England)

3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)

2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales)

1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

Replacements:

16. Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland)

17. Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England)

18. Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)

19. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

20. Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England)

21. Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)

22. Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales

Issued by SA Rugby Communications on behalf of the British & Irish Lions