Lions Troubled By Injuries

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31107, 9 July 1966, Page 11

Lions Troubled By Injuries

ONE of the main factors which has disrupted the performances of the British Isles Rugby team in New Zealand has been the inordinate number of injuries suffered by the side. At no stage of the tour has the selection committee been free to choose the best possible side and lately it has been quite embarrassing, as players have had to be chosen when they are not completely fit. Also it has stopped the Lions from experimenting with players and positions, for often they have had no choice except to play those who are fit without regard to position. So far on tour only nine

players, Mcßride, Powell, Laidlaw, Telfer, Lewis, Gibson, Jones, Hinshelwood and Bresnihan have escaped some form of injury. One player, the Welsh wing S. J. Watkins has yet to play a game, Savage has had only two, Lamont one, and Price three. How the injuries to three of these players—Watkins, Price and Lamont—has affected the team is realised when it is considered that Watkins is supposed to be the best of the wings; Price the team’s acknowledged line-out expert and Lamont the best of the flankers. When most of the injuries clear up the Lions should become a greater force. A succession of injuries does worry a team and there is one thing that this team needs at present, and that is confidence.