Lions / Archive

• Southern Kings 8 - 20 Lions

  Ugo Monye helps lead Lions to victory

  The Lions' 100% record continues in their final warm-up game before the first test against South Africa over the weekend. A try from England's Ugo Monye and a penalty try to the visitors gave the Lions a sixth straight win. The Lions injury worries continued with both James Hook and Euan Murray being forced to leave the field with injuries during the first half.

• Springboks' squad announcement

  Who will challenge the Lions in the first test?

  Today, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers announced the 22-man squad to face the Lions in Durban on Saturday for the first test of the series. John Smit will captain the side.

  The Lions' coaching team will announce their squad after the final warm-up match against Southern Kings.

  Backs: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez;

  Forwards: Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Heinrich Brussow, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.

  Replacements: Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Carstens, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Ricky Januarie, Jaque Fourie, Morne Steyn.

• Shane illness

  Shane Williams on the bench

  Ugo Monye will be handed his third start of the Lions tour against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth with Ospreys winger Shane Williams on the bench after a stomach bug.

• Lions' squad v Southern Kings

  Shane Williams, James Hook and Andy Powell have a chance to impress the selectors ahead of the first test against South Africa in the final warm-up match of the tour against the Southern Kings.

  Backs: Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster/Ireland), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland), James Hook (Ospreys/Wales), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland)

  Forwards: Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland) captain, Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Euan Murray (Northampton/Scotland), Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England),

  Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales). Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England), Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland), Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England)

• Western Province 23-26 Lions

  James Hook secures win

  A late penalty for James Hook helped the Lions seal another victory in Cape Town. Tries from wingers Tommy Bowe and Ugo Monye and Welsh wizard Martyn Williams gave the Lions the advantage before a Western Province fight back in the second half.

  The Lions injury woes continued as Mike Blair was forced to pull out of the squad to face the Western Province with a leg injury. Wales captain Ryan Jones is due to return home after spending a day in South Africa after being deemed unfit as a result of the head injury he sustained in Wales' victory in Chicago.

• Ryan Jones ruled out

  Wales captain, Ryan Jones, is to return home from the Lions tour of South Africa after failing a medical examination. He suffered two knocks to the head while playing for Wales in their recent victory over USA.

  Ryan joined the Lions on Thursday as a replacement for Stephen Ferris after he  was ruled out of the tour by a knee injury. The Lions will not be replacing Ryan at this point.

• Gwyn Jones on the Lions' progress

  The British and Irish Lions can perhaps be satisfied with their progress so far on the South Africa tour, but not unduly excited by their performances during the last two weeks.

  Solid performances

  There have been a number of pleasing aspects, with the centre partnership between Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts really working well and scrum-half Mike Phillips returning to form just at the right time.

  I think Ian McGeechan and his coaching team must be secretly delighted that Leicester Tigers and England flanker Tom Croft was called up as a late replacement following Alan Quinlan's ban.

  They must now realise that he should have been in the original squad and for me, he is now a certainty for the test side.

  Gatland's Style

  Ian McGeechan may be head coach, but Warren Gatland's influence on the style of play is unmistakable.

  The Gatland style is reliant on setting up a series of quick rucks after one or two passes from breakdown. For the Gatland plan to work, the Lions cannot commit more than two players to the ruck, otherwise they can't outnumber the defending team.

  However, the breakdown has proven to be a shambles in previous matches on tour and this has enabled the opposition to stop the Lions from recycling efficiently. As a result, the game plan is failing.

  The Lions are highly unlikely to change their tactics as this is how Gatland has coached for years, so the Lions will just have to be more clinical in their execution of the plan.

  McGeechan's first team

  Two games remain before the First Test a week Saturday but I'm sure that McGeechan already knows who'll be in his test team. If it's anything like it was for the First Test 12 years ago, there will be more than a few surprises.

  Personally, I only think there are a few places up for grabs, but the Lions should win comfortably on Saturday against Western Province - but for some players it will be the last chance to change McGeechan's mind. That will make the match very interesting.

• Lions' squad v Western Province

  Five Wales players will feature in the Lions' fifth match against Western Province in Cape Town. Martyn Williams returns after a slight injury and centre Riki Flutey is handed his first start of the campaign. England's experienced prop Phil Vickery takes over the reins as captain for the match.

  Backs: Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland); Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland), Riki Flutey (Wasps/England), Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England); Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Harry Ellis (Leicester/England)

  Forwards: Andrew Sheridan (Sale/England), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster/Ireland), Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), Joe Worsley (Wasps/England), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

  Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), Euan Murray (Northampton/Scotland), Simon Shaw (Wasps/England), Tom Croft (Leicester/England), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland), James Hook (Ospreys/Wales), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster/Ireland)

• Lions drown the Sharks

  The British and Irish Lions' 100% record out in South Africa continued after a victory against the Natal Sharks, 3 - 39. Tries from hooker Lee Mears, scrum-half Mike Phillips, winger Luke Fitzgerald, full-back Lee Byrne and number eight Jamie Heaslip secured the win for Ian McGeechan's squad.

• Halfpenny's disappointment

  Leigh Halfpenny will return from the Lions tour of South Africa, after sustaining an injury to his leg in a training session on Monday. He won't take part in the rest of the tour.

  Leigh will travel with the squad to Cape Town, before returning home to start his rehabilitation with Cardiff Blues. The Lions will not be replacing Leigh.

  Lions manager, Gerlad Davies said: "We are obviously very disappointed that Leigh has sustained a further injury and we understand that this must be particularly frustrating that this has happened a second time, especially for a young man embarking on his rugby career but we wish him well for his rehabilitation."

• Ryan Jones joins Lions

  Wales captain, Ryan Jones has been called up by the British and Irish Lions after Stephen Ferris was ruled out of their tour of South Africa by a knee injury.

  The Ireland flanker tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in training on Monday.

  Jones is scheduled to arrive in South Africa on Thursday 11 June, before joining the rest of the squad in Cape Town.

• Halfpenny ruled out of Sharks game

  Cardiff Blues and Lions winger Leigh Halfpenny has been forced to rule himself out of the game against the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday, 10 June, because of an aggravated leg injury.

  The 20 year-old from Gorseinon played his first game for the Lions against the Cheetahs on Saturday after he flew out later to South Africa after receiving treatment to his thigh injury.

  Ospreys fly-half James Hook replaces Halfpenny on the bench.

• Lions' squad v Sharks

  Nine Welsh players are announced as part of the 22-man squad to face the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday night. With only three games left before the first test on 20 June, all the players will be looking to stamp their place in Ian McGeechan's squad.

  Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales); Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales); Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland); Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales); Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland); Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland); Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)

  Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales); Lee Mears (Bath/England); Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales); Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales); Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland); Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England); David Wallace (Munster/Ireland); Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)

  Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales); Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England); Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England); Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England); Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland); Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England); Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales)

• Jenkins joins Lions coaching team

  Wales' kicking coach Neil Jenkins will fly out to South Africa to join the British and Irish Lions team for the test matches.

  Jenkins, who has recently enjoyed success with the Welsh squad on their tour of North America, will help coach the players with their kicking game before the first test against the Springboks on 20 June.

  Neil Jenkins was a pivotal part of the 1997 Lions tour of South Africa, as he helped the squad to a 2 - 1 victory in the tests.

• Lions' squad v Free State Cheetahs

  Leigh Halfpenny, Luke Fitzgerald and Donncha O'Callaghan will all get the chance to play their first Lions match of the South Africa tour against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

  Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys / Wales), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues / Wales), Keith Earls (Munster / Ireland), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster / Ireland), Shane Williams (Ospreys / Wales), James Hook (Ospreys / Wales), Harry Ellis (Leicester / England).

  Forwards: Andrew Sheridan (Sale / England), Ross Ford (Edinburgh / Scotland), Euan Murray (Northampton / Scotland), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster / Ireland), Paul O'Connell (Munster / Ireland), Stephen Ferris (Ulster / Ireland), Joe Worsley (Wasps / England), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues / Wales).

  Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets / Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys / Wales), Simon Shaw (Wasps / England), Nathan Hines (Perpignan / Scotland), Mike Blair (Edinburgh / Scotland), Ronan O'Gara (Munster / Ireland), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster / Ireland).

• Gwyn Jones on the Lions' first game

  What was clear from the first game, was that this is going to be a harder tour than many expected. We all knew the tests would be difficult but I'm not sure I was fully appreciative of how tough all the games were likely to be.

  Super South Africans

  Sometimes we underestimate the motivation of every player facing the Lions. For all those players who are never going to pull on a Springbok jersey, playing against the British Lions is the highlight of their careers. They will play as if they've got a Superman costume beneath their shirts.

  They will run faster, hit harder and jump higher than they have ever done before. They will be fearless in contact and will never give in. The Lions will face human super-heroes all across South Africa.

  Physicality and psychology

  Rugby is a physical game and therefore the most motivated side will often win the contacts and subsequently the game. Unless the Lions are able to match the vigour of their opponents they will always struggle on this trip.

  The other psychological variable I had not considered prior to the first game is that some of the British players will not be able to handle the whole Lions experience. Poor Keith Earls looked more like Bananaman than Superman in his first outing. He will not be the last to corpse on the big stage but let's hope he can re-gather some composure before he next appears.

  Cometh the hour

  The other way to respond to the situation is the way that Lee Byrne did. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. If you're only as good as your last game, then Byrne is some player. His opening gambit for the test place was impressive but there are more challenging games to come for him and the rest of the team.

  The first game was always going to be an awkward experience for the Lions before they got used to each other. But, with everyone saying that the Lions need to build momentum prior to the first test, then they will hope things get a lot better in the warm-up games.

• D'Arcy called up to the Lions squad

  The Lions have today called Irish centre Gordon D'Arcy to join the squad in South Africa. The coaching team have announced that D'Arcy's call-up has been made as a precautionary measure due to injury concerns within the backs. D'Arcy, who was part of the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, will join the squad in Johannesburg on Thursday.

• Greatest Lions of all time

  Who are the greatest Lions of all time? S4C pundits have put together their candidates for the greatest ever Lions squad.

  Wyn Gruffydd, Commentator

  

  • 15. JPR Williams (Wales)
  • 14. Tony O'Reilly (Ireland)
  • 13. Gerald Davies (Wales)
  • 12. Mike Gibson (Ireland)
  • 11. JJ Williams (Wales)
  • 10. Phil Bennett (Wales)
  • 9. Gareth Edwards (Wales)

  • 1. Ian McLaughlan (Scotland)
  • 2. Bryn Meredith (Wales)
  • 3. Fran Cotton (England)
  • 4. Willie John McBride (Ireland)
  • 5. Martin Johnson (England)
  • 6. Richard Hill (England)
  • 7. Peter Winterbottom (England)
  • 8. Mervyn Davies (Wales)

  Replacements:

  • 16. Bobby Windsor (Wales)
  • 17. Graham Price (Wales)
  • 18. Gordon Brown (Scotland)
  • 19. Derek Quinnell (Wales)
  • 20. Brynmor Williams (Wales)
  • 21. Jeremy Guscott (England)
  • 22. Andy Irvine (Scotland)

  Lyn Davies, Commentator

  

  • 15. J.P.R. Williams. (Wales)
  • 14. Gerald Davies. (Wales)
  • 13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
  • 12. Jamie Roberts. (Wales)
  • 11. Tony O'Reilly. (Ireland)
  • 10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
  • 9. Gareth Edwards. (Wales)

  • 1. Ian McLaughlin. (Scotland)
  • 2. Bobby Windsor. (Wales)
  • 3. Graham Price. (Wales)
  • 4. Willie John McBride (Ireland)
  • 5. Martin Johnson. (England)
  • 6. Lawrence Dallaglio. (England)
  • 7. Fergus Slattery. (Ireland)
  • 8. Mervyn Davies. (Wales)

  Replacements:

  • 16. Keith Wood (Ireland)
  • 17. Fran Cotton. (England)
  • 18. Paul Ackford (England)
  • 19. Richard Hill. (England)
  • 20. Mike Phillips (Wales)
  • 21. Stephen Jones. (Wales)
  • 22. Andy Irvine (Scotland)

  Gwyn Jones, Pundit

  

  • 15 JPR Williams (Wales)
  • 14 Gerald Davies (Wales)
  • 13 Jeremy Guscott (England)
  • 12 Mike Gibson (Ireland)
  • 11 Tony O'Reilly (Ireland)
  • 10 Phil Bennett (Wales)
  • 9 Gareth Edwards (Wales)

  • 1 Ian McLaughlin (Scotland)
  • 2 Keith Woods (Ireland)
  • 3 Fran Cotton (England)
  • 4 Rhys Williams (Wales)
  • 5 Martin Johnson (England)
  • 6 Roger Uttley (England)
  • 7 Ivor Jones - My uncle 1930 (Wales)
  • 8 Mervyn Davies (Wales)

• Lions' squad v Golden Lions

  Eight Welsh players have been called into the Lions squad to face the Xerox Golden Lions at Coca Cola Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 3 June. Heineken Cup winner Brian O'Driscoll takes the captain arm band with O'Connell rested.

  Backs: Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Ugo Monye (Harlequins/England), Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales)

  Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Lee Mears (Bath/England), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Nathan Hines (Perpignan/Scotland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)

  Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints/Scotland), Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England), James Hook (Ospreys/Wales), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales)

• Lions' squad v Royal XV

  The Lions squad face their first test as a collective on Saturday against Royal XV. Today, the Lions coaching staff announced the 22 players who they don the jersey. Highlights of the game will be available on S4C on Saturday, 30 May at 9.45pm.

  Backs: 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);

  Forwards: 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).

  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).

• Gwyn Jones - The two Williams' and the Lions

  A Lions' tour is the pinnacle of an international rugby player's career and on Saturday fifteen players will begin to stake their claim for immortality.

  Celtic majority

  This tour sees a change in the proportions of players coming from the home nations with England only supplying a minority of the squad. It has long been said that for the Lions to be strong we need England to be strong. Why?

  That may have been true in recent tours but in the halcyon days of the seventies, it was the Welsh that supplied the majority. Wales and Ireland have the best that Britain has to offer and we must put our trust in them to deliver victory.

  Welsh greats

  It was the mesmerising performances seen in the grained films of both the 1971 and 1974 tours that forms the mythology of the Lions. Benny, Edwards and JJ gliding over the burnt turf one minute, and a headband-wearing JPR taking on the Springbok pack the next, are the images that come to my mind.

  There are two Welsh players that I would like to see enter into the same pantheon of greats as those mentioned above. The two Williams, Martyn and Shane.

  Regardless of what happens in the next six weeks, I believe that both of these players should be considered as good as any of the greats that Wales has ever produced. A show reel of their career highlights would stand along side any of the 70s' legends.

  The return of the dreaded maul

  Many of you may be unhappy with the return of the monster that is the rolling maul - but it will have a major impact on the series and on how the game is played.

  The Lions are unlikely to out-maul the Boks and gain a series win from tight, slow rugby but the maul will give the game enough shape for the two Williams to exert their influence.

  The midfield contacts should be less contested and so Martyn will get a split second longer at the tackle area which is all his sharp mind needs. There should also be more time and space for Shane to run at the opposition and everyone knows he doesn't need much to exploit any half chance.

  However, the downside of the maul is that if the Lions fail to gain parity in that area, then it really doesn't matter who is playing wing or wing-forward because they'll be redundant.

  Welsh hopes

  At the start of the tour I think that the test team will be made up of eight Welshmen - Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Martyn Williams, Alun Wyn Jones, Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins.

  This is a bold selection and I'm sure that as the tour develops those decisions will change. But at the moment, these are the Welsh players who are within touching distance of their careers' greatest moments.

• Questions and answers Eleri Siôn

  Before she flew out to South Africa for the opening weekend of the 2009 Lions Tour, presenter Eleri Siôn, talked to S4C about the importance of the tour and her predictions.

  1. Is this the first time you've followed the Lions on tour?

     Yes, and I'm realizing a dream. If it's a pinnacle for the players, then it's the ambition of every rugby reporter. But I've been to South Africa twice before. The first time I travelled abroad with my job was to South Africa during the 1995 World Cup, and I followed Wales there on their Summer Tour last year as well.

  2. What's so special about the Lions tour?

     The history, the tradition and the fact that a group of players are capable of pulling English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish supporters together for 6 weeks every four years. It's a chance for us to support players we wouldn't dream of supporting during the Six Nations Championship!

  3. How important is the Lions tour for the players?

     Being chosen to be a part of something legendary like the Lions is a great honour and privilege because it's not without effort that you get chosen to a part of the history. For any athlete, the main aim is to perform on the biggest stage, and it doesn't come much bigger than playing against the current world champions.

  4. How do you think the Lions will cope with the challenge of facing the Springboks?

     Well, the Lions haven't had the best preparation because so many of the original squad have pulled out for different reasons. The squad will, of course, miss players like Jerry Flannery, Tom Shanklin, Alan Quinlan, Leigh Halfpenny and Thomas O'Leary.

     It's going to be very hard, and there's a challenge the size of Table Mountain facing them. But if they can create momentum in the preparatory games - who knows?

  5. Who are the players who will take the opportunity to star on the big stage?

     Everyone will be watching Brian O'Driscoll, especially after Tana Umaga's spear tackle clouded the Irish man's last tour with the Lions in 2005. He's been on top of his game with Leinster and Ireland this year - let's hope his bubble won't burst in South Africa.

     If Jamie Roberts get's his chance, the physical aspect of his game could be an asset to the Lions and Stephen Jones is always reliable. But as for the forwards - ask Gwyn Jones!

  6. Predictions for the tests?

     It depends on who wins the first test - it will be a sign of how things will go.

• Wyn looks forward to Lions Tour

  Commentator Wyn Gruffydd will fly out to South Africa as part of S4C's experienced presentation team for the Lions Tour.

  Wyn, who also commentates on S4C harness racing series Rasus, is optimistic of the Lions chances on the tour.

  "I think the Lions can win two tests against the Springboks," says Wyn who's originally from Pembrokeshire but now lives in Llangain near Carmarthen.

  "It's at the scrum that these tests will be won and lost - we'll know more after the game against the Sharks, as they have the strongest and most powerful scrum."

  Brian O'Driscoll

  According to Wyn, Brian O'Driscoll is the one who will make an impact over the next few weeks, especially after his injury during the New Zealand Lions Tour of 2005, where he was also captain.

  "He hasn't got the responsibility of being captain this time so I think he'll enjoy himself much more," says Wyn.

  "There's been an emphasis on the players characters, as well as their rugby talents, during this selection process. The coaching team have included players who can increase morale in such an intense atmosphere."

  Appeal of the Lions

  "This is one of the greatest adventures in rugby with the best of the best uniting. The fact that it only comes around every four years makes it extra special," explains Wyn.

  "The Lions have a great following, with supporters from all over the British Isles mixing rugby with the glorious sights of the Southern Hemisphere."

  It was the Lions Tour of Australia in 2001 when Wyn last followed the squad, and he has fond memories of his time there.

  "I remember the first test in the Gabba, Brisbane, and the atmosphere was electric," he says.

  "There was a sea of red in the stadium, with banners from rugby clubs all over Wales - from Caernarfon to Llanddarog and Carmarthen. It was an incredible experience."

• Halfpenny set to miss start of Lions tour

  Blues winger Leigh Halfpenny, will not travel to South Africa with the Lions squad next week because of a thigh injury.

  Halfpenny will return to Cardiff on Friday to undergo treatment with the hope that he can meet up with the squad at a later date.

  The coaching team will announce a replacement player in due course.

• Lyn heads for the Lion's den

  Rugby commentator Lyn Davies is set to go to South Africa as part of S4C's presentation team covering the Lions tour this year.

  The Trimsaran-born commentator is a familiar face and voice to the channel's rugby viewers having provided commentary and rugby analysis for a number of years.

  Speaking of the challenge that faces the Lions this year, Lyn explains, "It will be a difficult test. There are some players who can reach the standard but I'm worried about the strength in depth - there aren't that many players who the coaches can turn to."

  Mike Phillips is the key man to make an impact over the next few weeks, according to Lyn, with his ability to scare off the back row.

  With physical players like Phillips, Jamie Roberts, Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip likely to be in the test team, the commentator thinks that the Lions can pull off a vital win in South Africa.

  Lyn, who now lives in Llanelli, adds: "I think the Lions can do enough to win at least one test, but the Springboks are favourites at the moment and it will take a lot to beat them on two occasions."

  Lyn last followed the squad in the Lions' tour of Australia in 1989 and he has fond memories of his time there.

  "It was a great experience - it was the first time that the Lions had been on a full, dedicated tour of Australia as they had only used it as a stop-off on past tours en route to New Zealand.

  The country is superb and the series was a great success," says Lyn.

  "There was a strong Welsh contingent on tour - with Ieuan Evans scoring one of the decisive tries of the tour. Clive Rowlands was also a head coach and scrum-half Robert Jones played a prominent part too."

• The Lions roar on S4C

  This summer, S4C will broadcast international rugby of the highest standard, with the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa and Wales' tour to North America among the highlights.

  The tour to South Africa, which includes ten physical and fiery encounters, kicks off in Rustenberg on Saturday, 30 May when the Lions take on the Royal XV.

  Highlights of the match will be shown on Rygbi: Llewod 09 the same night, and highlights of the squad's second challenge against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg can be seen on Wednesday night, 3 June.

  Expert analysis on S4C

  A specialist team of presenters and commentators will feature in the channel's line-up, including Gareth Roberts and Eleri Siôn. Expert analysis will be provided by Wyn Gruffydd, Lyn Davies and former Wales internationals Gwyn Jones and Arthur Emyr.

  Ex-South Africa players will also join in the discussions and post-match reactions throughout the five-week tour.

  Gwyn Jones reaction

  Former Welsh captain and regular S4C pundit, Gwyn Jones, says, "We haven't had such a large Welsh contingent in the Lions' squad since the heyday of the 1970s, so the level of interest in the tour among Welsh supporters will be phenomenal.

  "The series will be full of tension and drama and hopefully international rugby of the highest standard."

  The last Lions' tour of South Africa in 1997, when Ian McGeechan was also Lions' coach, featured one Test win and one Test defeat.

• Lions highlights on S4C

  S4C has been awarded the rights to broadcast exclusive free-to-air TV highlights of the Lions' five-week tour of South Africa, which starts in May.

  S4C's coverage will include highlights of all three test matches on the British and Irish Lions' Tour, which take place on 20 June (Durban), 27 June (Pretoria) and 4 July (Johannesburg). Highlights of the seven other tour matches will also be shown.

  S4C's Content Editor, Sport, Geraint Rowlands, said: "With such a prominent Welsh contingent among the playing, coaching and management staff of the Lions, this once again demonstrates our commitment to providing quality coverage of sporting events that have both a Welsh and global interest.

  "With S4C also broadcasting live coverage of Wales' test match against the US Eagles as well as highlights of Canada v Wales, it will be a great summer of rugby on the Channel."

  Former Welsh captain and regular S4C pundit, Gwyn Jones, added: "We haven't had such a large Welsh contingent since the heyday of the 1970s, so the level of interest in the tour among Welsh supporters will be phenomenal. We cannot underestimate the task ahead for the Lions. The series will be full of tension and drama and hopefully the very highest level of international rugby."

  S4C will shortly be inviting companies to tender for the production of the highlights programmes of the South Africa Tour.