McGeechan hopes for testing time

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Head coach McGeechan insists the race for Test places is "still wide open" approaching Saturday's encounter against Western Province at Newlands.

"It is still wide open," said McGeechan. "As coaches, we have said everyone is still playing for those places."

The popular theory is that nailed-on Test certainties like skipper Paul O'Connell, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips, Lee Mears and Jamie Heaslip will not be seen in action again until Durban.

A handful of leading Test candidates take the field on Saturday, while strong performances from the likes of lock Nathan Hines and flanker Martyn Williams could leave them firmly in contention.

McGeechan added: "We can't have a fixed idea yet, because some of these players will only be starting their second game and we have to give them a fair chance. So it will take the six games to form our judgement.

"This is the shortest (Lions) tour ever, and we have to make sure we use every game, otherwise I don't think I am being fair to the players.

"We won't have played together (before the first Test), but I have never hidden the fact that was going to be the case. We have to be open-minded about what we see on the field.

"There are still opportunities for players to be part of the Test side, even if they start on Tuesday.

"I don't want easy decisions next week because I want players to be challenging us as coaches."