JOE WORSLEY has backed his Wasps and England colleague Phil Vickery to recover from a first Test ‘beasting’ when the British and Irish Lions conclude their tour of South Africa tomorrow.
Vickery returns to the frontline for another appointment with Springboks’ Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira - just a fortnight after his Lions career looked in tatters.
The England World Cup winner is one of eight changes, including a switch from wing to centre for Ireland grand slam star Tommy Bowe, following last weekend’s agonising second Test defeat in Pretoria.
Mtawarira scrummaged Vickery into such an unrecognisable state that Lions head coach Ian McGeechan had little option other than to substitute him just five minutes after half-time in Durban.
But the 33-year-old, who is currently shaking off a throat infection, will attempt to redress the balance against a Springboks side seeking its first Test series whitewash in 118 years of Lions history.
“I have known the guy for years,” said flanker Worsley, who makes his Lions Test debut at Ellis Park.
“When you do have a bad game or things go against you, then you are just waiting for the next opportunity to go out there and do something about it.
“I bet he’s over the moon that he has got a chance this weekend, rather than stewing all summer. There are a lot of tough nuts out there, and he’s one of the toughest.”
Vickery is among four changes forced on McGeechan, as Adam Jones and fellow prop Gethin Jenkins, together with centres Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts, are all injured.
Peter de Villiers has made 10 changes to his South Africa side. Captain John Smit, Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Tendai Mtawarira and Juan Smith are the only survivors from last weekend’s win.
BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS TEAM – R. Kearney (Leinster and Ireland), U. Monye (Harlequins and England), T. Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland), R. Flutey (Wasps and England), S. Williams (Ospreys and Wales), S. Jones (Scarlets and Wales), M. Phillips (Ospreys and Wales), A. Sheridan (Sale Sharks and England), M. Rees (Scarlets and Wales), P. Vickery (Wasps and England), S. Shaw (Wasps and England), P. O’Connell (Munster and Ireland, capt), J. Worsley (Wasps and England), M. Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), J. Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland).
Replacements – R. Ford (Edinburgh and Scotland), J. Hayes (Munster and Ireland), A-W. Jones (Ospreys and Wales), D. Wallace (Munster and Ireland), T. Croft (Leicester and England), H. Ellis (Leicester and England), J. Hook (Ospreys and Wales).
SOUTH AFRICA TEAM – Z. Kirchner (Bulls), O. Ndungane (Sharks), J. Fourie (Lions), W. Olivier (Bulls), J. Nokwe (Cheetahs), M. Steyn (Bulls), F. du Preez (Bulls), T. Mtawarira (Sharks), C. Ralepelle (Bulls), J. Smit (Sharks), J. Muller (Sharks), V. Matfield (Bulls), H. Brussow (Cheetahs), J. Smith (Cheetahs), R. Kankowski (Sharks).
Replacements – B. du Plessis (Sharks), G. Steenkamp (Bulls), D. Carstens (Sharks), S. Sykes (Sharks), P. Spies (Bulls), R. Pienaar (Sharks), F. Steyn (Sharks).