THE Lions manager, Fran Cotton, yesterday called on the South East Transvaal Rugby Union (Mpumalanga) to take "the appropriate" action against two of their players for what he described as the "gratuitous violence" that now threatens the future career of second row Doddie Weir.

Weir was kicked on the knee in the match against the Lions in Witbank on Wednesday. And the issues involved could go outside the realm of rugby authority, to the civil courts.

Cotton was speaking after he confirmed that the Lions have sent for veteran England second row Nigel Redman as a replacement for Weir. Redman is due to join the Lions party today.

Weir's injury is much more severe than initially thought. Following a scan in Pretoria yesterday afternoon, it was announced that Weir had sustained "severe damage to the major structures of the knee", and not just a torn medial ligament, after being deliberately kicked by Mpumalanga second row Marius Bosman in the second half of the match.

Bosman's second row partner Elan de Van der Berg was also involved in an incident when Rob Wainwright was stamped, an incident which the Lions believe also warrants suspension. In both instances the referee, Carel Spannenberg, did no more than award penalties and speak to the players.

Yesterday the president of the Mpumalanga Union, Hennie Erasmus, was ordered by the South African Rugby Union to call an emergency meeting of the Mpumalanga executive last night to study a video of the match and act in accordance with the evidence it reveals. It is expected that any action against the players will be taken within the next few days.

Following the meeting, it was decided that there was a case to be answered and the matter has now been referred to the Mpumulanga Union disciplinary committee.

While initially it was felt Weir would be out of the game for some weeks, it is now certain to be a very protracted period of inactivity, and there is even some anxiety about his career.

The Lions are incensed over the incident and what they consider the weak handling of the match by the referee. "I left him in no doubt about what I thought of the incidents," Cotton said. "Now that I have had time to study the video, all I can say is that I have never seen worse than some of Bosman's actions. Kicking, punching, and even head butting. It was positively sickening and I cannot understand how he stayed on the field."

Cotton also felt that Van Der Berg should also have been sent off. "I have a responsibility to the Lions players and see they are not subjected to that kind of violence".

Under the laws of the International Board and the tour agreement, the Lions cannot cite Bosman after the referee had taken some limited action. "As of now we are taking no further action, but we have made it absolutely clear we expect Mpumalanga to take the appropriate action," Cotton said. "If that does not happen, then we would have to reconsider our position.

My priority is to ensure that the Lions players are properly protected by referees on this tour." He had uttered those sentiments even before he learned the extent of Weir's injuries late yesterday afternoon.

"Anyone who looks at the video will see the evidence of quite a few incidents. Some of those warranted instant dismissal and a minimum of 60 days suspension," added the manager.

On the question of a civil action, Cotton said: "There could he the prospect of a civil action and Doddie must take legal advice. On that issue it is up to him, but obviously we would give him any support we can. A civil action is a matter for the individual. The game is now professional and players earn their living playing the game. When a player is taken out of the game by a deliberate act of violence, I believe there are considerable legal implications," said Cotton.

Weir is covered by insurance as is his club, Newcastle, but he will nonetheless lose a considerable amount of money as he will get only a proportion of his Lions tour fee.

Weir, who has played well on the tour said: "I am bitterly disappointed at what happened and to be out of the tour." He did not elaborate on what future action he may take.

Redman (32), was on tour with England in Argentina when he got the call yesterday. He was in the England side that defeated Argentina last Saturday, but prior to that had not played at international level since 1994, on England's tour to South Africa.

Last weekend Cotton sent for Mike Catt as a replacement for Paul Grayson. Catt too was in Argentina and was reluctantly released by England manager Jack Rowell.

The Lions' scope in securing a replacement for Weir was severely limited. "There is a long injury list and that curtailed our choice of replacement," said Cotton.

"Players such as Paddy Johns, Garath Archer, Craig Quinnell and Martin Bayfield were all ruled because of injury. But I am delighted for Nigel Redman, he has been a very good player for a long time," added Cotton.

Meanwhile, Ireland's Eric Miller has been chosen on the open side flank on the Lions team to meet Northern Transvaal at Loft is Versfeldt tomorrow.

Miller gets the chance to put pressure on Richard Hill, the front runner for the open side berth in the side for the first test. It will be Miller's second tour appearance. He played at number eight in the win over Boland in East London last Wednesday week. He sustained a fracture of a small bone in his left cheek in that match, but there is no doubt about his fitness.

"We want to see Eric in the number seven Jersey," said Cotton. "He has played in every position in the back row."

Coach Ian McGeechan said: "We are still exploring all the options available to us and we are anxious to see Eric playing on the open side flank."

It is certainly a good chance for Miller who made his international debut for Ireland' last season on the open side flank.

"I am very pleased to be playing," said Miller, who is well aware of the test possibilities on the open side flank. "I am not troubled by the cheek injury, it will not be a problem."

Left wing Tony Underwood is the only player in the side who was on the team against Mpumalanga. The team will be led by Lions captain Martin Johnson, who will be playing only his second tour match. Johnson is certainly not being overworked and has been hampered by a groin injury. He had that examined again yesterday by a specialist, but the Lions are confident he will see the tour through.

The inclusion of Underwood for Ieuan Evans is the only change in the back line from the team that beat Western Province last Saturday. In the pack, Martin Regan comes in at hooker for Barry Williams, and in the back row, Miller comes in for Hill and Scott Quinnell for Tim Rodber.