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Robbie Henshaw pulls out of Lions match with Sharks

By PA
Robbie Henshaw /PA

Robbie Henshaw has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions’ fixture against the Sharks on Wednesday because of a hamstring injury.

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The Ireland centre impressed in the 28-10 victory over Japan that launched the tour at Murrayfield, but was overlooked for Saturday’s clash with the Sigma Lions and must now sit out a second match.

“Robbie has a very mild hamstring strain which will keep him out of the next game,” a Lions spokesperson said.

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Will James Ryan starting for Ireland send the Irish media and fans into a frenzy?

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    Will James Ryan starting for Ireland send the Irish media and fans into a frenzy?

    Owen Farrell and Chris Harris form the centre partnership for the opening match on South African soil with Bundee Aki supplying cover from the bench.

    Tom Curry is the only member of the original Lions squad not involved in the first two matches of the tour because of a pectoral problem, but the England flanker has trained all week and is available to face the Sharks.

    “Tom had bit of an injury when he came in from Sale. He’s training with the guys and was involved today (Friday). We’ll see how he goes over the next few days,” kicking coach Neil Jenkins said.

    The door has been opened for Alun Wyn Jones to yet take part in the Test series that opens on July 24 after Warren Gatland revealed the Wales skipper is “optimistic a miracle may happen”.

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    Having been ruled out of the entire tour, Jones has been told by medics that he could recover from the dislocated shoulder sustained against Japan last Saturday faster that expected because his age of 35 enables short cuts to be taken.

    Conor Murray has been appointed captain in his absence while Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg is in command against the Sigma Lions at Emirates Airline Park.

    “For him to get back in any way shape or form would be awesome. Warren knows more, but if someone of his calibre becomes available and he’s able to represent us, it becomes a no brainer,” Jenkins said.

    “I’ve known Al a long time and I’ve never written him off in any way shape or form. I’ve seen him injured on other occasions, but not too many.

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    “He’s been very lucky in that regard and looks after himself incredibly well. That’s part of the reason why he has minimal injuries.

    “Nothing surprises me with Al. He’s an incredible player who looks after himself incredibly well. If anyone can get back to playing in the Test series, then he certainly can.”

    BRITISH & IRISH LIONS VS SIGMA LIONS:
    15.Stuart Hogg – captain (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
    14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales)
    13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland)
    12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
    11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836
    10. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) #835
    9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843
    1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842
    2. Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
    3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
    4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825
    5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England)
    6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
    7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
    8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779

    REPLACEMENTS:
    16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England)
    17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) – Prop #787
    18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
    19. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
    20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England)
    21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales)
    22. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837
    23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822

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    B
    BleedRed&Black 1 hour ago
    URC teams aren't proving Stephen Donald wrong

    I'll repeat what I said. Hopefully you'll get the point this time.


    Re-read my initial post. Despite your claim I never mentioned financials. I focused purely on the political consequences for SA rugby structures of the Springboks decline in RWC's. My focus in relation to that was entirely on the issue of competitiveness.


    SA, as I said, has a much better structured domestic season now than it had in SR. Domestic teams playing in a round robin comp they are in every year is a domestic comp for competitive/development purposes. And as you say, SA's URC teams have to run significantly bigger squads, again a function of having a proper full season for those teams. That is something NZ will eventually emulate.


    And, as I said in my second post, after you dragged in financials, the URC's popularity/financials are greater in SA because its a full season and its teams are winning [again something I recognised] in the distinctly lower quality URC, whereas it spent almost all its time in SR losing in much higher quality but shorter comp. The story is radically different in the much higher quality European comps, where the SA are getting crushed year after year.


    So, to repeat yet again, what will be the political consequences in SA of the Springboks decline in RWC/WR standings? Will the financial/popularity advantages of getting a proper domestic season be seen to be damaging the Springboks, given the distinctly lower quality of the URC in comparison with SRP? My bet is such a blame game is almost certain. To give themselves a substantial domestic comp and keep the Springboks in TRC [They have no choice] SA are being forced to play 12 months a year. SA, like NZ and Aussie, have developed a habit of improvising solutions instead of building durable structures. A 12 month season is just another improvisation.


    And as for the fairy story that being in Europe is better prep for RWC/Test rugby than SR, it fails even on its own facts, let alone in application. SA teams only play Ireland/Wales/Scotland/Italy in the URC. All have been crap at RWC's. And SA teams don't play in Europe long enough to benefit from playing against club teams from England and France. And if you think that playing in Ireland/Wales/Scotland on a wet winters day is less challenging than playing in NZ, April-June, then you're welcome to your short memory.

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