British Lions: North’s return lifts wounded squad

British and Irish Lions coach Rob Howley is delighted George North is available. Picture: Getty

Just hours after being deflated by their dismal 14-12 defeat to the Brumbies – their first loss Down Under – the tourists were told that North has made a complete recovery from his hamstring injury.

The destructive 21-year-old had been in magnificent form prior to limping off against the Combined Country XV eight days ago, with his ability to break and evade tackles identifying him as one of the Lions’ key threats.

Now he is set to be unleashed on the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium after assistant coach Howley confirmed he is available to fill the left wing when the team is announced tomorrow.

“It’s great to have someone like George available because of his physicality, power and speed,” Howley said.

“I believe we’ve only seen glimpses of him, he’s a phenomenal athlete and hopefully he’ll have that opportunity to show it over the next few weeks.

“He’s probably one of the best athletes I’ve been involved with as a coach. He can change direction very quickly, has a great step, power and speed.

“You can bring him in the 10 or 13 channel, or keep him out wide for the passing game. His work rate off the wing is phenomenal.

“We want our wings to be involved because you want your best players on the ball as often as possible. “He works tirelessly hard at his game and it’s good for the Lions to have someone like him available.”

North’s presence has taken on greater importance with centre Jamie Roberts and wing Tommy Bowe almost certain to miss the series opener because of their respective hamstring and hand problems.

The shock and awe gameplan of head coach Warren Gatland is heavily reliant on the power running of North, Roberts and Bowe, with Jonathan Sexton and Brian O’Driscoll providing the subtlety.

Losing all three wrecking balls would have been a significant setback that Howley admitted could possibly have forced the Lions to rethink their gameplan. Further firepower could be provided by Manu Tuilagi after Howley revealed he has an outside chance of facing the Wallabies this weekend, potentially forcing Gatland to choose between him and Jonathan Davies to partner O’Driscoll in the centre.

“Manu is improving every day after taking a stinger [shoulder injury]. The strength is coming back into his shoulder and obviously he’ll be touch and go,” Howley said. It is hoped that Roberts and Bowe will have recovered in time for the second Test and Howley has taken comfort from the level of medical expertise that has enabled North to plot a collision course with the Wallabies.

“Five or six years ago if someone had a grade one hamstring injury you wouldn’t have known how to load him because you wouldn’t have the sports science knowledge that we do now,” he said.

“Now we’ve got all that data – what he’s doing in a game and in training – and we can make more informed decisions.

“The medical and the sports conditioning have been enhanced by the more professional attitude of today’s players.”

Australia will have seized upon the Lions’ setback against the Brumbies – their first defeat to a provincial team since 1997 – noting especially the difficulties experienced by the tourists at the breakdown.

Howley believes the response to events in Canberra will gauge the level of resilience within the squad.

“Sometimes a loss gets you on edge. Our pride has been hurt – we are disappointed and frustrated at losing. You take that hit and it’s about how you react to that hit,” he said.

“I’ve seen the midweek team put the Saturday team back on track and now on Saturday it’s the job of the team that’s selected to put the midweek team back on track.

“Many factors in the game were very disappointing, but you have to move on when you’re on a Lions tour and our aim is to win the Test series.”

Magnificent 7

THE Lions have suffered more than their share of Test defeats, but one city where they have enjoyed uninterrupted success has been Brisbane, where the current tourists open their Test campaign against the Wallabies on Saturday.

Since their first Test in the city in 1899, they have won seven out of seven. And, for fans looking for more good omens, the last time the Lions played at Saturday’s venue, Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium), in 1966, they recorded their biggest winning margin. Here’s the full, glorious list:

22 July 1899

Australia 0 Lions 11

23 July 1904

Australia 3 Lions 17

19 August 1950

Australia 6 Lions 19

6 June 1959

Australia 6 Lions 17

4 June 1966

Australia 0 Lions 31

8 July 1989

Australia 12 Lions 19

30 June 2001

Australia 13 Lions 29