SIMON Geoghegan has withdrawn from the Bath side for tonight's Courage League First Division clash at Sale.

The Ireland wing and British Lions hopeful did not believe he was fully match fit and did not travel north with Bath yesterday. His place was taken by England's Jon Sleightholme.

Geoghegan has been plagued by groin and foot injuries over the past two years but still secured a place in the 62-man preliminary Lions tour party for South Africa.

He made a comeback when Bath played The Army last Tuesday, and then came on as a second-half replacement against West Hartlepool 48 hours later.

Whether Lions manager Fran Cotton is prepared to gamble on 37-times capped Geoghegan's fitness won't be known until he announces the final 35-man squad this morning.