Ireland score 15 in opening exchanges

Squabbles over the geographical breakdown of the 67man preliminary Lions squad will probably continue right up until the numbers are whittled down to the final 37 that will undertake the 10-match tour to the home of the world champions, Australia, this summer.

For the record England managed the greatest representation with 22 players, while the Celtic cousins Wales (18), Ireland (15) and Scotland (12) will be grateful/unhappy (delete where applicable) with the largesse of the Lions team management of Donal Lenihan (manager), Graham Henry (coach) and Andy Robinson (assistant coach).

The Irish elite consists of 11 players from last Saturday's starting XV, plus Jeremy Davidson, Kieron Dawson, Eric Miller and Shane Horgan. Girvan Dempsey, Mick Galwey, Alan Quinlan and Anthony Foley will console themselves with the thought that there is many a slip twixt lip and cup: injuries occur, form changes.

From an Irish perspective there seems little with which to quibble in general terms. Most of those whose form has elevated them in European Cup and Six Nations have been acknowledged by inclusion: the obviously more difficult assignment being to stay there.

In reality this announcement is little more than a cosmetic exercise, with contractual issues at the core. In some ways it resembles the Eurovision Song Contest as the voting is about to begin: one knows who the favourites are, that there will be a surprise or two, the route taken to arrive at the final decision and that Norway won't make the final shake-up.

The 67 names announced yesterday offer a reasonably true indication of the form players over the past six months in European Cup and Six Nations Championship rugby. Those who have not been included won't be precluded from making the final 37. As of now about 22 of the places on the plane bound for Australia next summer are taken; there is scope for 15 or so to grab a ticket.

Lenihan admitted that his phone never stopped ringing all yesterday, the media keen to form a subjective discussion depending on nationality. "I think the main talking points for most was former England rugby league wing Jason Robinson and Scotland captain Andy Nicol. In Robinson's case I think that to have named him in the squad would have been putting huge pressure on someone who has played just eight games in the union code.

"Nicol has a lot of competition in his position. We weren't exclusively tied in to players currently playing in the Six Nations. Glenn Metcalfe is currently playing with Scotland A while the uncapped Gareth Cooper is coming back after injury. We looked at people like Jeremy Davidson and Kieron Dawson, both of whom are injured, and wanted to give them a carrot by including them: it shows they are not out of consideration.

"I think that it is fair to say that the preliminary squad is a reflection of form. I can honestly say that I didn't know how many players from each country were in until someone told me today. If England have the most then they are there on merit. The prime reason for this squad is a contractual one and just because a player hasn't made it doesn't mean he can't make the final one.

"Peter Clohessy wasn't selected in this group in 1997, yet he was named in the final party."

Lenihan reckons that the management team have taken in 200 matches plus since they began this commitment and pointed out that they will be taking in plenty more games including Six Nations and A internationals. The final squad will be announced prior to the European Cup semi-finals, on the weekend of April 15th/16th.

At that stage the quest for the home countries elite rugby players will have taken into considerations nine months rugby. Lenihan conceded that his role has been an education and did not realise prior to taking the position just how complex and demanding the position would be. Nevertheless he is enjoying it and has found the players to be very accommodating and doesn't envisage too many problems with the commercial and contractual minutiae.

The Lions last tour in 1997, culminated in a 2-1 series victory over South Africa in which four Irish players enjoyed central roles. Three, Eric Miller, Keith Wood and Jeremy Davidson, have been named in the extended squad while Paul Wallace was not considered as he is currently recovering from a broken ankle.

On the previous tour to New Zealand in 1993 there were only two Irish men selected in the original party, Nick Popplewell and current Irish second row Mick Galwey. Vincent Cunningham and Richard Wallace were flown out subsequently as replacements.

The squad includes those favoured to captain the touring party, England's Martin Johnson, Keith Wood (Ireland), Lawrence Dallaglio (England) and Dai Young (Wales).

A fillip for some, a rocket for others the tears and happiness of the next six weeks will make interesting viewing from the sidelines as the Lions watch intensifies.

Itinerary June 1: Depart, Heathrow; June 8: v Western Australia, WACA, Perth; June 12: v Queensland President's XV, Townsville; June 16: v Queensland Reds, Brisbane; June 19: v Australia A, Gosford; June 23: v NSW Waratahs, Sydney; June 26: v NSW County, Coffs Harbour; June 30: First Test v Australia, Gabba, Brisbane; July 3: v ACT Brumbies, Canberra; July 7: Second Test v Australia, Melbourne; July 14: Third Test v Australia, Sydney.