Pullin out of Lions

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33493, 26 March 1974, Page 22

Pullin out of Lions

(N.Z:P.A. Staff Correspondent) LONDON. The England captain and hooker, J. Pullin, is a shock, omission from the British Lions Rugby team named today to tour South Africa later this year. The two men expected to contest the position as .his deputy for the 22-match tour K. W. Kennedy (Ireland) and R. W. Windsor (Wales),/both gained selection, and Pullin, who played all four tests for the Lions during the 1971 tour of Mew Zealand, will stay behind. Not long ago, Pullin, who captained England in wins over both South Africa, in Johannesburg, end New Zealand, in Auckland, was being tipped for the Lions captaincy. But, as had become obvious in recent weeks, the job of captain for the ’arduous tour went tothe veteran Irish lock W. J. Mcßride. It will be McBride’s fifth 'Lions tour, and the third he has made to South Africa. The tour party is:— Full-backs: J. P. R. Williams (Wales), A. R. Irvine (Scotland). Wings: J. J. Williams (Wales), T. O. Grace (Ireland), C. Rees (Wales). W. C. C. Steele (Scotland). Centres: R. T. E. Bergiers (Wales). R. A. Milliken (Ireland), G. W. Evans (England) I. R. McGeechan (Scotland) Stand-offs: P Bennett (Wales). A G. B. Old (England). Half-backs: G. O Edwards (Wales), J. J. Maloney (Ireland). Props: I. McLauchlan (Scotland). A. B. Carmichael (Scotland), F. E. Cotton (England), M. A. Burton (Eng land). Hookers: K. W. Kennedy (Ireland). R. W. Windsor (Wales: Locks: W. J Mcßride (Ireland, captain). G. L Brown (Scotland). C. W. Ralston (England), R. M. Uttley (England). Flankers: T P. David (Wales). A. Neary (England). J. F. Slattery (Ireland), S A. McKinnev (Ireland). No. 8s: T M. Davies (Wales), A. G. Ripley I (England)

Rugby triallsts.—The Otago Rugbv selectors have stuck to experience In their 10 nominations for the AH Black trials .next month. The players are: L. Mains, N. Pickrang. D. Colling. L. 'Jaffray, D. Robertson, L. Clark, G. Seear. R. Smith, M. Jaffray and G. McGe.e. D. Pesclni was unavailable.