Lions Tour:Scotland captain Mike Blair has underlined is determined to "make an impact" after being summoned for British and Irish Lions duty in South Africa. Just 20 days after he became one of three current Six Nations skippers to be overlooked by the Lions, Blair has been called up as the squad's first injury replacement.
He takes over from Ireland’s Tomás O’Leary, whose Lions hopes were shattered when he sustained a broken ankle while on Magners League duty with Munster.
It is understood the scrumhalf vacancy came down to a straight contest between 58 times-capped Edinburgh star Blair and Harlequins’ England international
Danny Care.
Blair will not be the only additional face in a Lions party that will leave for Johannesburg on May 24th.
Head coach Ian McGeechan must decide on a replacement for injured Wales centre Tom Shanklin – Ireland’s Gordon D’Arcy and England back Delon Armitage are believed to be strong candidates - while Munster flanker Alan Quinlan could become the Lions’ third pre-tour casualty.
Quinlan faces a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Wednesday after being cited for allegedly making contact with the eyes or eye area of Leinster skipper Leo Cullen during last month’s Heineken Cup semi-final.
If a ban is imposed, Quinlan will find himself sidelined, probably opening the Lions door for Leicester and England backrow Tom Croft.
Blair, meanwhile, takes the Scottish representation to three, joining prop Euan Murray and lock Nathan Hines.
“It is a massive honour,” said 28-year-old Blair. “The call-up just goes to show how quickly everything can change in rugby, and I am determined to seize my chance and make an impact.
“Since the original squad was announced, I’ve just focused on playing well for Edinburgh and helping the team climb up the Magners League. Fortunately, that has helped me to get selected.
“I would like to thank the coaches at both Scotland and Edinburgh for helping me to achieve inclusion into the Lions squad, and I am excited about the challenge ahead.”
McGeechan added: “Sport can be very cruel.
“One minute, Tomás was celebrating his well-earned call-up to the Lions tour - the next, he is being carried off injured while playing for Munster against the Scarlets in Cork.
“The selectors and I have had plenty of time to review the situation in terms of a replacement scrumhalf, and were in agreement that Mike Blair should replace Tomás.
“He was on our reserve list for such an eventuality. As a national captain, he is well respected by his peers, and his 58 Tests for Scotland mark him as a very capable and experienced scrumhalf.”
