Worsley tips recalled 'tough nut' Vickery to turn tables on 'Beast'

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 23:02

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 front-line for another appointment with Springboks prop 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 winner Tommy Bowe, following last weekend's agonising second Test defeat in Pretoria.

Mtawarira scrummaged Vickery into such an unrecognisable state that Lions 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 try 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."