Lions have some big decisions to make for first Test

THE BRITISH and Irish Lions begin preparations for Saturday’s crucial first Test against South Africa from a position of strength, with only Finn Russell ruled out of the Cape Town Stadium collision.

The starting XV and bench to face the Springboks are close to be being finalised following a selection meeting on Sunday that lasted almost two hours and the few outstanding calls will be made by the end of Monday.

Warren Gatland’s options are improved by the near-clean bill of health to have blessed the Lions six matches into their tour, leaving Achilles injury-victim Russell as the only unavailable player.

Full-back Liam Williams undertakes the final stage of the return to play protocols for concussion on Monday and, if he passes, he will resume training the following morning.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones and centre Robbie Henshaw came through their comebacks from respective shoulder and hamstring injuries in Saturday’s rout of the Stormers unscathed to stay in Test contention.

Defence coach Steve Tandy admits there will be some unhappy players when Gatland announces the team to the squad but stresses that the series spans three Tests so more opportunities will arise.

“There are going to be massive decisions. There are going to be a lot of unlucky players,” Tandy said. “We had an initial selection meeting last night (Sunday) which was a long one, covering all bases, because a lot of people have put their hands up. It’s a great place for us as coaches to be.

“We were becoming clearer and clearer as we went along, but it was one of the toughest things I have ever been involved in because so many people have been putting their best foot forwards.”