Scotland lock Nathan Hines will have no regrets about snubbing Perpignan in their hour of need to take his place in the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour to South Africa.
Hines was one of five second-row forwards called up by Lions head coach Ian McGeechan last week, meaning he will miss out on USAP’s bid to claim their first French title since 1955.
The Top 14 play-off semi-finals, which Perpignan have qualified for, begin on the weekend of May 23/24 but Hines will have already set off for South Africa by then.
USAP fans have slammed Hines for turning his back on the club but the Australia-born lock is happy to dig his heels in.
“I have a torn heart but what can I do?” he said. “If I am not in London on May 18th I will not be selected (by the Lions). Last year I was a substitute for Perpignan in the play-off semi-final. Imagine if I were to refuse the Lions and the same thing happened to me?
“No, that isn’t possible.”
Hines added: “Representing the Lions is the creme de la creme, the squad of squads, the best players from four countries. It is difficult to explain, it is something all British players want to experience.”
Hines has seen insults from USAP supporters fly his way but added: “They don’t understand the importance of the Lions for a guy like me, but they want USAP to have the best chance of winning the title.
“They said to me, ‘Why are you going? You have a choice’. Others have said to me they were disappointed but have wished me good luck anyway.”
The 32-year-old was left out of Perpignan’s side for their 20-16 win over Clermont-Auvergne last weekend, with coach Jacques Brunel preferring to choose a second row which will feature in the play-offs.
