ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Sunday Jun 16, 2013

Shane Williams and Christian Wade called up and on the wings vs the Brumbies

The shock news today is that Welsh Wizard Shane Williams has been called up to do a job for the Lions against the Brumbies on Tuesday. The other big news is that gasman and fan favourite Christan Wade will join him, with Brad Barrit flying in too.

London Waps’ joint top try scorer Christan Wade will join up with the Lions squad on Monday. He was due to play in England’s second Test against Argentina, but will instead wear red against the Brumbies, a move that will excite many fans that thought he should have been in the initial squad.

The other huge news of the day is that former Lions winger and Welsh legend Shane Williams has been called up to play on the other wing. The 36-year-old is currently playing rugby in Japan so has been keeping fit, including doing a bit of boxing for a charity event in Dubai recently.

He was going to be in Australia anyway, as a radio pundit, but his position with the Lions is understood to be only temporary, mainly based on the ease of bringing him in on short notice.

“We told him we needed him for one game – he was already halfway here and part of the reasoning behind that is that he is still playing and thinking about the travel of getting players here,” said Warren Gatland, who is having to juggle his resources carefully in the lead up to the first Test.

The Lions injury toll has mounted and there are concerns over the fitness of stars George North and centre Jamie Roberts, the latter having limped off against the Waratahs. Manu Tuilagi still has a sore shoulder and Brian O’Driscoll’s battered body needs to be looked after.

Wade and Williams will be alongside England centres Brad Barritt and Billy Twelvetrees, who were also called into the squad within the last few days. Rob Kearney gets his first start, while Scotland’s Stuart Hogg will start at flyhalf again. Rory Best, also a late inclusion on tour, will captain the side.

Below is a quick wrap-up of the reaction to the Williams selection, including Twelvetrees, Hogg and Ben Youngs giving their thoughts. What do you think of Williams and Wade’s inclusions?

British and Irish Lions team: Rob Kearney, Christian Wade, Brad Barritt, Billy Twelvetrees, Shane Williams, Stuart Hogg, Ben Youngs; Ryan Grant, Rory Best (captain), Matt Stevens, Ian Evans, Richie Gray, Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Simon Zebo

Brumbies team: Ruan Smith, Siliva Siliva, Scott Sio, Leon Power, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Colby Faingaa, Peter Kimlin (c), Ian Prior, Matt Toomua, Clyde Rathbone, Andrew Smith, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Jesse Mogg,
Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea, Jean-Pierre Smith, Chris Cocca, Etienne Oosthuizen, Jordan Smiler, Mark Swanepoel, Robbie Coleman, Zack Holmes

Time: 1:34
Credit: rugbymedia

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments




Related Articles

  • 381 WEEKS AGO

    Warren Gatland confirms British & Irish Lions...

  • 545 WEEKS AGO

    Brian O'Driscoll's incredible skill at training...

  • 558 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of Amazing Lions Test series in Australia,...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 22 HOURS AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All