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Lions 2013

George North fitness lifts Lions for first Test

Assistant coach Rob Howley today said his countryman was fully recovered from a hamstring strain

POWERFUL WELSH WING George North is fit to face the Wallabies in the opening Test on Saturday and help the British and Irish Lions forget their first non-Test defeat in Australia in 42 years.

Assistant coach Rob Howley today said his countryman was fully recovered from a hamstring strain. The flying winger passed a fitness test this morning following the 14-12 loss to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra yesterday.

“I’ve never seen him in better shape and he’s available for selection which is a huge filip for us,” Howley said. “It’s a huge morale boost to have someone like George North available for us.”

North, one of the best finishers in world rugby, is expected to line up against code-hopping Wallabies debutant Israel Folau at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. However, Welsh compatriot and fellow back Jamie Roberts remains a serious doubt for Saturday.

Centre Roberts, who pulled a hamstring against the NSW Waratahs last weekend, is set to sit out the series-opener with Irish wing Tommy Bowe, who is recovering from a broken bone in his hand. The pair may still return for the second Test in Melbourne on 29 June. The third and final Test is in Sydney on 6 July.

Howley rated England bulldozing centre Manu Tuilagi as “touch and go” for Saturday with his shoulder injury steadily improving. His absence would leave a likely midfield pairing of Welshman Jonathan Davies alongside Irish veteran Brian O’Driscoll at outside centre.

The Lions, fielding six recent injury reinforcements, were battered at the breakdown by the Australian Super Rugby conference leaders in Canberra.

It was the Lions’ first tour loss to a provincial side since going down 35-30 to Northern Transvaal in South Africa in 1997 and the first win by an Australian provincial team against them since Queensland beat the tourists 15-11 in 1971.

Lions coach Warren Gatland said he hoped the loss would prove “a reality check” after five consecutive wins in Hong Kong and Australia.

© AFP, 2013

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