The British & Irish Lions are weighing up their scrum-half choices after an harm to Tomos Williams that threatens to sideline the Welshman on the busiest stage of the squad’s Australian tour.
The pinnacle coach, Andy Farrell, stated a call on calling up a alternative could be made on Sunday, with Scotland’s Ben White among the many main contenders to interchange Williams at No 9.
Williams contributed two tries in a advantageous all-round efficiency because the Lions eased to a 54-7 victory over Western Pressure however tweaked his left hamstring whereas diving over the road for his second rating. It leaves the Lions with solely two match scrum-halves, certainly one of whom – Jamison Gibson-Park – has been managing a strained glute muscle.
Farrell stated Gibson-Park could be match to face the Queensland Reds on Wednesday however the Lions will want some cowl if Williams is dominated out even for a brief interval, with Alex Mitchell as the one obtainable possibility within the place. White has simply arrived in New Zealand, the place Scotland are resulting from kick off their summer season tour towards the Maori All Blacks subsequent Saturday, and will simply hop on a aircraft to Brisbane if required.
For the second, Farrell continues to be ready to be taught the severity of the harm to Williams, the Premiership’s participant of the season with Gloucester. “There was loads of cramp final week, let’s hope it’s a kind of,” stated Farrell. “He was taking part in properly and I’m positive there’s a little bit of concern there, however you may solely take care of the right here and now so fingers crossed.”
Farrell, nevertheless, is adamant that there isn’t any hazard of Gibson-Park sitting out the Reds recreation. “Jamison is match and able to go and has been coaching absolutely for one of the best a part of per week. We’re proud of that however we’ll solely know [about Williams] within the morning.
“I don’t what the timings are of that, with the flights, however you need to let this stuff cool down and provides it just a little little bit of area. There’s at all times one thing that’s going to occur you aren’t fairly positive about, that’s the nature of the tour. We have to make the suitable name for the group.”
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Wates appointed chair off RFU board
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Sir James Wates CBE has been appointed chair of the Rugby Soccer Union board.
He takes over the function from Sir Invoice Beaumont, who was named chair on an interim foundation in December final yr following the resignation of Tom Ilube.
Wates is at present a board director of the Wates Group, a privately-owned development, improvement and property service firm within the UK and served as chairman between 2013 and 2023. PA Media
Of their opening recreation in Australia, Farrell declared himself reasonably glad with the consequence within the wake of the Lions’ defeat by Argentina in Dublin final week. “I’m proud of the scoreline and the way we received to that time as a result of it wasn’t at all times going our manner. We fastened issues up and performed some good rugby and scored some good tries.”
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He was happy, too, with the performances of Mack Hansen and the youthful Henry Pollock, regardless of the latter being despatched to the sin-bin simply earlier than half-time. “He received a yellow card due to repeated infringements, which was honest sufficient, however you noticed his level of distinction, that’s for positive. He’s studying on a regular basis and there may be a lot to work on to ensure we’re the staff we need to be. He’s a part of that.”
Pollock additionally obtained a constructive assessment from the Lions’ captain for the day, Dan Sheehan. “I believed he was good at present,” the Eire hooker stated. “He does his personal factor, he performs his personal manner which might be totally different to a whole lot of the forwards. I take pleasure in that form of rugby: off the cuff, see what’s in entrance of you and make it occur. Along with his skillset and pace he can definitely make it occur.
“It’s nearly attempting to ensure he’s doing the suitable factor for the staff on a regular basis. All these huge video games are huge for him, huge for all of us. He’ll simply get higher and higher from right here.”