Lions v Western Province

Western Province is essentially the Stormers, and a bit like the Cheetahs before them proved a challenge that the Lions eventually rose to overcome.

I'm sure the Lions' management are quite happy though: scrums were better, breakdown was largely better and I suspect in their books, and definitely in mine, the final names were put onto the team sheet.

Sheridan may have had a chance of beating Jenkins out, but after too many dumb penalties at the breakdown, he's blown it. Vickery, on the other hand, has cemented his place on the other side of the breakdown. Williams proved faster and more able at open side, as expected, and linked nicely for both the tries scored early by the Lions. I think Croft, Williams and Heaslip would be my loose forwards, but Worsley, Williams and Powell played really well as a unit and could be the starting trio.

Monye is going to be unlucky, but it's still Fitzgerald and Bowe for me. Byrne was already inked in, but any doubters only need to look at both Kearney's mistakes and the fact he was substituted for Hook before the end of the match to realise it will be Byrne.

Ellis, Hook, probably D. Jones, the Welsh hooker from yesterday, Monye, Shaw and Powell for the replacement's bench.