News

B&I Lions third time lucky?

June 29 2009

Gerald Davies believes the British & Irish Lions deserve to go home with a victorious Test in the bag at the end of an ultimately unsuccessful tour of South Africa.

The Lions' Tour Manager insists the squad is up there with the triumphant tour parties of past years and has instilled faith in the concept of the Lions that was battered during the dismal tour of New Zealand in 2005.

Davies paid tribute to Ian McGeechan, who has successfully brought together players from four different nations to almost upset the Springboks.

And he believes the team requires little motivation to go out and beat South Africa in the final Test on Saturday.

"I don't think this team - with the people we have got here and the way we have played - deserves to go back having lost three Test matches. If we need a motivation that is it," said Davies.

"There has been a terrific camaraderie and team spirit. The players have gelled quickly and we have had that sense of a Lions tour. We have not won but it could have been.

"I don't know of anyone within the corridors of power who has raised questions about the validity and the need and the spirit which the Lions engenders.

"It is not just us who have been following the fortunes of the Lions. There is a worldwide interest."

And fly-half Stephen Jones, who is yet to register a victory in the Lions shirt, says the team will hold nothing back in Johannesburg on Saturday.

"When you give everything and you come second-best it hurts," he said.

"We've got to do our homework and make sure we pick ourselves up because we've got a huge opportunity to restore some pride in the Lions jersey next week."