Lions defend late call-ups for tour games amid accusations of devaluing the famous red jersey

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

The British and Irish Lions have defended the decision to summon four new reinforcements to provide back-up for the final tour match against a First Nations-Pasifika XV in Melbourne next Tuesday.
A day after confirming a call-up for rookie Ireland prop Tom Clarkson – taking the dominant Leinster contingent up to 14, level with England – the tourists announced that a trio of Scots are on their way to Australia.
Wing Darcy Graham joined up with the Lions here today, while prop Rory Sutherland and hooker Ewan Ashman will arrive in Melbourne on Sunday.
The three Scotland players had been in Auckland preparing for a Test against Samoa after a defeat against Fiji in Suva last weekend.
There are echoes of the controversial 'Geography Six' saga from the 2017 tour of New Zealand, when the then head coach Warren Gatland called up half a dozen players, including Finn Russell, based on proximity rather than merit alone.
With Jamie Osborne and Jamie George also being brought in as additional cover, the Lions squad will number 44 early next week, temporarily.
Eight years ago, Gatland's decision causes tensions with the established tour party, but current captain Maro Itoje was adamant that there will no such issue this time, saying: 'I have no doubt that they'll be welcomed in.
'The boss, Andy, has called them in because he believes they will help the Lions to achieve their goal of winning a Test series.
'All of the players that have been called in are quality players.
'They are players like everyone else in the team, who have a high level of experience and have achieved things in their career.
'We are all in this together. It's not us and them. It doesn't matter if there's a late call-up.
'We've seen in the past how late call-ups have had huge impact on the tour in positive ways.
'I have no doubt that everyone who has called up will play a significant role in helping the team achieve its goal.'
Graham was sent off in the defeat against Fiji, but his red card was deemed sufficient punishment and he has been cleared to play for the Lions if selected.
He was seen as a prime contender for a place in the initial squad, announced in London on May 8, so the 28-year-old Edinburgh flier's belated involvement is well deserved.
The Lions' Scottish forwards coach, John Dalziel, emphasised the logic of sending for back-up and the justification for picking players of true Test pedigree, saying: 'Coming off the back of five games in two weeks and now we're into the business side of it, the Test week, we're looking at some knocks and injuries from the games.
'It's about the ability to add a little bit of depth and cover to facilitate training this week – and looking at next week where we have Saturday, Tuesday, then second Test.
'It just takes an injury in training or at the weekend and, in specialist positions, you're a bit light.
'We felt it's the right time in the tour to bolster that up in areas that are going to be vital.
'Darcy Graham, in a lot of people's eyes, was very, very close to selection.
'He's a fantastic player; a lad who would probably be, rightfully, a bit disappointed at not making it originally.
'He's somebody who will come in with Garry Ringrose not available for the next two games.'
The Lions are not concerned for Mack Hansen's fitness ahead of the first Test on Saturday
Asked if the call-ups devalue the Lions shirt, Dalziel added: 'No. Naturally, at this stage of the tour, the games are more intense.
'Geographically, we're getting people here if they do need to play. I think it's the right time to do it with the right players.
'We're not giving away opportunities lightly. These are quality players like Darcy Graham and Rory Sutherland, an ex-Lions international.
'These are players who will come in and add value to the group.'
However, when asked if the reinforcements could be released again after the final midweek game, Dalziel added: 'Yeah. It'll be on an individual basis, based on what's going to happen through the week and Saturday again as well.
'We'll make a decision after that.'
Ringrose and Luke Cowan-Dickie are going through 12-day return-to-play protocols after sustaining head injuries – with the former hoping to be free to play again by next Tuesday and the latter by next Saturday, when the second Test takes place in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, with the series opener at Suncorp Stadium looming this weekend, Dalziel played down any suggestion of an injury to Ireland wing and match-day 23 candidate Mack Hansen.