Lions squad receive second Covid vaccinations ahead of tour
The British and Irish Lions have begun receiving their second Covid-19 vaccinations at their training camp in Jersey.
Anumberofplayersandstaff who have not already had both doses visited a medical centre at Fort Regent yesterday as part of the ambition to have all members of the touring party fully jabbed by the time they arrive in South Africa.
Another group will be seen next Tuesday with the day in the week chosen in the event of any side effects arising Wednesdays are designated as rest days for the squad, thereby minimising any interruptions to training.
Most of the players were given their initial jabs when they met up for the first time in London last month.
The Government has given dispensation to the Lions, as well as Team GB members heading to the Olympics in Japan, to be vaccinated ahead of schedule despite their age profile due to South Africa's status as a red list destination.
In the wider population, only people aged 25 or over are currently eligible for a jab.
The Lions have implemented robust Covid counter measures during their time in Jersey despite the island being subject to lighter restrictions.
A PCR and lateral flow testing programme is in place, face masks are worn alongside social distancing being observed, all bedrooms are single occupancy only and players keep the same seats on bus journeys.
"Coming out to Jersey we've got to respect the island. They've done a brilliant job with regard to their Covid protocols and got them absolutely spot on since we've got here," Wales hooker Ken Owens said.
"We've been going through a short period of isolation and testing to make sure we aren't a risk to the island. We're basically hotel-bound and just bussed up to training and back so we're pretty restricted."
For all the restrictions placed on the Lions, Owens believes they could yet play an influential role as players from four different nations look to bond.
"We are lucky in some ways because we are in a bubble and very tight together," Owens said. "It's a lot easier to get those connections and that social side done because you haven't got people drifting off here there and everywhere.”
Dundee United manager Tam Courts has backed Charlie Mulgrew to add a winning mentality to his Tannadice squad after making the defender his first signing.
The former Celtic, Aberdeen and Scotland centreback has penned a two-year deal after agreeing to return to Tayside.
The 35-year-old was still a teenager when he spent six months on loan with United as he looked to prove he was cut out for first-team action at Parkhead.
He also spent two seasons with Wolves, including a loan spell at Southend United, before making 81 competitive appearances for Aberdeen, enroute to his return to Parkhead.
Mulgrew went on to make 500 career appearances - including 44 for Scotland - while also winning five Scottish league titles and two Scottish Cups with Celtic.
Courts believes Mulgrew's wealth of experience - which includes five years in the English Football League with Blackburn, Fleetwood and Wigan - is just what he needs as the new Terrors boss looks to restore United to the upper reaches of the Scottish Premiership.
"I'm excited to have a player of Charlie's winning pedigree available to me for the next two years," said Courts. "I believe that he joins an existing group of senior players who already give everything to make Dundee United better on the pitch.
"Charlie is renowned for his leadership and impact on young players which is something that will be valuable in their development."
Neil Doncaster believes a number of cinch Premiership clubs will be looking on with interest to see how Celtic and Rangers B teams fare in the Lowland League next season.
Doncaster expects more discussion on the future pathway for young players in Scottish football and feels the Lowland League experiment might be seen as a blueprint by some.
Celtic and Rangers accepted an invitation to take part in the Lowland League on a one-season basis without the prospect of promotion into the Scottish Professional Football League.
Rangers had earlier produced a document proposing they and their city rivals entered 'colt' teams in the lower leagues of the SPFL but have been frustrated by the speed of discussions.
SPFL chief executive Doncaster said: "It's a very interesting experiment that the Lowland League are carrying out and it will be fascinating to see how the B teams get on.
"I'm sure there will be a number of Premiership clubs, who like the idea of a B team as a way of developing young players, who will be looking on with interest. I think it's a wider debate that has been ongoing for years.
"Everybody accepts that there is a development gap for young professional players from about the age of 17-18, and B teams are among the ways that a number of
European nations successfully use as a way of bridging that gap.
"So I think we should all look very carefully at the Lowland League this year and see how it works out."
Rangers were especially frustrated with the Scottish Football Association board but president Rod Petrie later claimed that the Ibrox club had themselves agreed to delay the submission of any paper to clubs.
Doncaster said: "I suspect the Scottish FA will come forward with a paper.
"It will obviously need amendment given the events of recent weeks with Celtic and Rangers B teams going into the Lowland League, but I would fully expect that paper to be circulated to clubs for discussion."