Blair chosen to replace O'Leary

LIONS NEWS:MIKE BLAIR will replace Munster scrumhalf Tomás O'Leary on the British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa. It had been widely predicted the Scottish captain would be overlooked in favour of countryman Chris Cusiter, who plays in France with Perpignan, or Harlequins and England's Danny Care but Lions head coach Ian McGeechan opted for the 28-year-old who has won 58 caps.

Blair was certainly less prominent than O’Leary, Care and arguably, Cusiter in recent months but has been operating behind the struggling Scottish and Edinburgh packs. He is considered one of the most technical gifted number nines in world rugby.

“Sport can be very cruel,” said McGeechan of O’Leary’s injury. “The selectors and I have had plenty of time to review the situation in terms of a replacement scrumhalf and were in agreement that Mike Blair should replace Tomás. He was on our reserve list for such an eventuality.”

Cusiter and Care remain on the Lions “shadow list” in the advent of further injury. Leinster’s Gordon D’Arcy is another man believed to be back in contention to travel after his gradual return to form from a prolonged injury lay-off.

A decision on a replacement for Cardiff centre Tom Shanklin could be due as early as Thursday with McGeechan meeting the rest of his coaching staff today to discuss whether to bring in a fifth centre or a more versatile option that can cover outhalf.

The Lions management will also discuss a potential replacement for Alan Quinlan in case the Munster and Irish flanker is suspended following his citing for an incident with Leo Cullen in the Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Leinster on May 2nd.

Quinlan has been charged with unsportsmanlike behaviour after allegedly making contact with Cullen’s “eye/eye area.”

The incident was caught on camera and replayed several times during the match.

Quinlan spoke to Cullen at length immediately after the game and even Leinster coach Michael Cheika stated he did not believe Quinlan would be capable of eye-gouging.

The hearing takes place in Dublin tomorrow, with Roger Morris (Wales) chairing a three-man independent disciplinary committee that includes Simon Thomas (Wales) and Mike Hamlin (England).

English Premiership club Harlequins have been requested to appear before a separate ERC disciplinary committee, date not yet confirmed, to answer a misconduct complaint arising from the blood substitution of Tom Williams in the European Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster on April 12th at the Stoop.

Harlequins sustained injuries to both outhalves, Nick Evans and Chris Malone, during the match but Evans was sent back on for Williams.

The Sky Sports cameras showed Williams winking as he was helped from the field with water and blood pouring from his mouth.