Covid KO leaves Lions in a fix

THE LIONS tour has been plunged into turmoil by the postponement of Saturday’s game due to Covid.

The loss of the match against Bulls follows four opposition players and one member of management returning positive tests.

It leaves coach Warren Gatland with just three fixtures, starting tonight at Ellis Park against the Sharks, to shape a team to take on South Africa.

That’s if the tour

by ALEX SPINK

survives that long and that looks increasingly unlikely after Springboks Handre Pollard, Marvin Orie, Frans Steyn and Frans Malherbe joined six of the management in testing positive yesterday.

Friday’s Test between the Springboks and Georgia, who also reported four positive tests, is now likely to be called off.

British and Irish Lions bosses hope to reschedule the Bulls fixture but there is little free time on the tour. England star Tom Curry

said: “I sympathise with them.

“Everyone is talking about how big it is for the Lions but for the South African players, what is it, once every 12 years?

“Playing against the Lions is a huge occasion for them, so there’s massive understanding for them.”

Defence coach Steve Tandy said the tourists would be ready for whatever contingency plan is put in place – even if that means alternative opponents being found for this weekend.

“Through Covid you learn that you need to adapt,” he said.

“Things move really quickly and change. It’s about being prepared for whatever comes our way at whatever moment in time.”