McGeechan: Different ball game

Head coach McGeechan has selected a side devoid of surprises to meet the Springboks on Saturday. It is a line-up packed with form players and clear leaders in their respective positions, although just five have previously started a Lions Test - skipper Paul O'Connell, centre Brian O'Driscoll, fly-half Stephen Jones, plus props Gethin Jenkins and Phil Vickery.

"We know it's a different ball game now," said McGeechan. "I have been very keen all along to give every player every opportunity, and the length of our deliberations showed how many players had put themselves in the frame."

McGeechan fields tried and tested combinations such as centre pairing O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts and the back-row unit of Tom Croft, David Wallace - who emulates his brother Paul, a 1997 Test Lion in South Africa - and Jamie Heaslip.

The only notable absentee is among the replacements, where powerhouse England scrummager Andrew Sheridan misses out behind experienced Wales international Adam Jones.

"We spent time on each position, and probably deliberated for more than two hours yesterday morning," said McGeechan.

"A lot of players put their hands up, and we had to be fair in how we discussed things. It challenged us as coaches picking the team. I read out the team last night. We've made some big decisions as coaches, but to be fair to the players, they wanted it that I would stand in front of them and read out the 22.

"We all then went out for a meal as a whole Lions group and shared each other's company, which I think is important after an announcement like that."

There had been speculation McGeechan might opt for both Wallace and fellow openside Martyn Williams in the back-row, with the breakdown being such a critical and potentially game-defining area.

"Both Martyn Williams and David Wallace are playing well," added McGeechan. "They are two clever players that mean we are in a strong position being able to call on both of them over the 80 minutes. When you are playing a Test match, where we could we wanted players playing in their number one positions. That is what we've tried to do."