Lions 2013: Furore Over Force Opener As Lions Hit Town
by Paul Cook in Perth -
The recriminations have begun before a ball is even kicked on Australian soil as the British & Irish Lions prepare for the second match of the 2013 tour here in Perth tonight. Their opponents, the Western Force, have named a weakened squad for the first crack at the tourists in this part of the world since a Western Australian XV took them on at the WACA cricket ground 12 years ago. and it hasn’t gone down too well.
Just over half the run-on side could be described as established elite level players and there are five former Wallabies on board but the rest of the matchday 22 have been drawn from reserves, the elite training squad and club rugby. The reason being, the Force have an important – as they see it - Super Rugby clash against the New South Wales Waratahs on Sunday night, and allowing