Carlisle rugby club will be buzzing on Saturday when members and friends prepare for the Second British Lions Test in South Africa.
Former Carlisle player Chris Harris has been selected for the game which is likely to be explosive with the hosts trailing after last Saturday’s opening defeat.
Scotland international Harris, who learnt his rugby at the Warwick Road club, takes the place of Elliott Daly in the centre as one of three changes made by coach Warren Gatland.
Prop Mako Vunipola replaces Rory Sutherland in Cape Town, with scrum-half Conor Murray in for Ali Price while number eight Taulupe Faletau is on the bench after missing out on selection for the first Test. Liam Williams and Hamish Watson drop out of the 23.
The Lions came from 12-3 down at half-time to win the First Test 22-17and Gatland said: “As always, selection was incredibly tough.
“However, we’ve made the changes we think are the right calls for the weekend’s game.”
“We know the Springboks will be hurting and they’ll throw everything at us on Saturday, but I think there’s plenty more to come from us too.
“We feel we can go up another level from where we were in the first Test and I would expect us to improve.
“It’s the biggest game on the tour and we have to embrace the expectation that comes with it. As players and coaches, these are the games you want to be involved in.
“We’re relishing the opportunity to face the Springboks again on Saturday and potentially seal a series win.”
It’s going to be tough, physical and demanding and Harris has been quoted as saying “I welcome the physical side of the game.”
Certainly there will be plenty of encouragement on Saturday coming from the direction of the Warwick Road clubhouse.
