McGeechan set to name Lions side

McGeechan also led the Lions in 1989, 1993 and 1997

British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan will on Thursday name his team for Saturday's opening match of their tour of South Africa.

Wales duo Stephen Jones and Martyn Williams are likely starters against a Royal XV side in Rustenburg.

Players from Leinster, Leicester or Northampton are set to rest, after their involvement in European finals.

Brian O'Driscoll and Tom Croft are not expected to feature until Wednesday's game against the Golden Lions.

The Lions will be looking to make a flying start when they tackle opponents largely drawn from Vodacom Cup winners the Griquas.

McGeechan's squad go into the match after a week's preparation in Surrey and three days of acclimatising in Johannesburg.

"It is about getting ready in a short space of time," said first-time Lion and England hooker Lee Mears.

"It has been about getting to know everyone, and then just ironing out a few things about what we want to achieve and how we want to play.

"It has been brilliant meeting all the boys and training with them - it's been a breath of fresh air, everything you expected.

"Playing against a lot of these guys is very different to sitting down to dinner with them!"

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McGeechan will formulate his Test line-up from a six-match schedule that starts this weekend, followed by games against the Golden Lions, Cheetahs, Sharks, Western Province and Southern Kings.

"We are all buying into it, and we know the games will come thick and fast," Mears said.

Following the withdrawal of injured Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery, Mears has been tipped to land the number two shirt for the first Test against South Africa on 20 June.

"It's a dream to become a professional rugby player, then to become an England player, and it dawns on you that if you play well and if you are in the right place at the right time, you might get a chance with the Lions," he said.

"When you play club rugby, some days the boys are on fire and you score five or six tries, whereas Test rugby is all about being a little bit more clinical and tighter - that's why it is called the Test match arena.

"Coming together with the Lions, all the best players of the four nations, is amazing."

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