The Bull happy to be back with the Lions

THE LATER the call-up for a Lion, the likelier they are to be surfing in Australia or holidaying in some exotic corner far removed from rugby. But John Hayes was working on the family farm in Cappamore yesterday when he received the news he was being flown out to South Africa forthwith to become a two-time British and Irish Lions tourist.

Thus, having maintained his fitness levels, and despite his tardiness, Ireland’s most capped player will probably be involved against the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday, and it is not inconceivable the Bull might yet go one better than four years ago and appear in a Test, given there are only two tightheads out here in Phil Vickery and Adam Jones after Euan Murray’s damaged ankle cut short his tour.

One imagines, too, Paul O’Connell will not be disappointed to see his personal JCB arrive.

James Hook remains with the party though medical prognosis on his head and neck injuries is ongoing.

Meanwhile, South Africa assistant coach Gary Gold insists there is no danger the Springboks will go into this weekend’s first Test underprepared.

The tourists head into tomorrow’s eagerly-anticipated clash in Durban on the back of six straight wins, while most of the Boks have seen little action since the Super 14 – won in brilliant fashion by Pretoria’s Blue Bulls.

Gold believes the lack of action could prove to be an advantage over the three-Test series.

“This time last year we came together before we played Wales after finishing the Super 14 and we didn’t have Super 14 champions in our team at the time – now we do,” he said.

“Most of the guys have played 13 gruelling weeks of Super 14 and some have played 15 weeks. I don’t think we are short of game time at all.

“It is interesting this “under-done” tag is being thrown around about us when, 12 months ago, Wales came here and told us how tired they were after having a very long season back home.”

Gold added: “The guys are raring to go. We have the benefit of the guys knowing each other and combinations that are established.

“By and large the guys know each other very well and I don’t believe that from a rugby playing point of view we are underdone.”