SIMON GEOGHEGAN will be on the replacement bench tonight when his club, Bath, take on relegation haunted West Hartlepool, hoping he will get the chance of Q run, out to press his Lions chances.

When the long list for the tour to South Africa was announced, one of the most controversial decisions was the inclusion of the Ireland wing. The player himself describes being in the roll call as a "miracle".

It's not that anyone doubts the ability of a player who has been capped 37 times by his country. A fully fit Geoghegan would be a near certainty for the tour. The problem is that he has not played a league game since the Orrell match in August.

Andy Robinson, the Bath coach, says. A fit Simon Geoghegan would be in my Lions selection. He has ability and enthusiasm and exciting things happen when he is involved.

But Bath have opted to stick with this season's regular wing three quarters, Adedayo Adebayo and John Sleightholme, at West Hartlepool. The latter is the England incumbent so publicly snubbed by Fran Cotton and Co.

For Geoghegan this has been a frustrating season. Yet he has a laid back approach to the Lions issue. "If it happens great, it doesn't that's part and parcel of the game.

His most recent outing was on Tuesday night in a match against an Army XV, where he came through the 80 minutes unscathed though he lacked match fitness and performed fitfully.

The player himself admits: "I am not match fit and I tired in the second half. I can't rush my return. The problem is I haven't played enough rugby this year, but the Lions selection is encouraging for me. It's nice to be remembered."

Tough he doesn't expect to get picked for the tour, he will be hoping to get a few games under his belt and be ready if there are any injuries in South Africa and he's called up as a replacement.

In his three years since joining Bath he has played only seven league games, yet scored six tries.

The problem has been a long term injury to two toes that are also afflicted with arthritis and have required surgery that involves removing seven millimetres of bone from each and inserting screws.

The 28 year old has seen the best years of his career lost through the injury. Other players in the professional era would have lamented at the blow not only to their sporting prowess but also their pocket. Not Goghegan.

"It is obviously disappointing," he said, "but there is more to life then chasing a rugby ball about. I have just got on with other things. It has meant I can concentrate on my career and I've been able to see more of my girlfriend.

At the freight of his success, when he could guarantee to produce a roar from the Lansdowne Road crowd every time he got near the ball, he rejected all offers to turn full time professional. He is on a part time contract with Bath and ensures his job as a solicitor in London does not suffer.

While the bulk of the Bath squad set off yesterday morning, he completed a full day at the office and journeyed last night. Geoghegan said: "I play for the enjoyment not the money. With the injuries, I have only a couple of seasons left at best and I will see those out at Bath even it's only in the seconds."

He was disappointed to miss out on selection for the Lions tour in 1993, but has had the consolation of playing in two World Cups. He is glad he played the game at a time when players didn't have to be full time professionals.

"If I was starting out now there is no way I would have been able to qualify as a solicitor," he explained. "Players now have to make as much money from the game while they can. There was something nice about playing in a team where people had a range of jobs."

There may still be the opportunity for some travel this summer whatever the decision of the Lions selectors. Brian Ashton, the Ireland coach has contacted him about his availability for the tour to New Zealand.