Squire asked to join Lions

Press, 10 March 1983, Page 34

Squire asked to join Lions

NZPA Staff correspondent London The Welsh flanker, Jeff. Squire, has changed his mind and made himself available for the British Lions' tour of New Zealand this winter after a plea from the Lions’ management. The 31-year-old Pontypool player announced early this year that he did not want to be considered because of business commitments, but he told the manager of the Lions, Mr Willie John McBride, this week he was now a starter. Squire, a building society district manager, has expanded his business interests to take in a health club and did not expect to be able to

spare the time to tour. “But the club is now reasonably well established and I think I can get leave from the building society,” he said. The Lions’ selector’s interest in Squire reflects his major influence in this season’s Welsh revival and the need they see for experience in the back row. His playing record suggests that by making himself available, he may have emerged as a late contender for the Lions’ captaincy. A former Wales and Pontypool skipper, Squire has played five tests while on tour with the 1977 Lions to New Zealand and the 1980 Lions to South Africa in addition to his 28 Welsh caps.

His emergence follows a week-end when Ireland’s Ciaran Fitzgerald, previously a strong favourite for the captaincy, and John Scott, of England, failed to impress as their teams slumped to upset defeats against Wales and Scotland respectively. “I am available for’ New Zealand,” says Maurice Colclough with a certainty that must sound like music to the ears of the British Rugby Union selectors. The giant England lock, who seriously injured a knee against France in January, is . convinced that he is winning his race against time to be fit for the Lions’ tour. From the RA.F. rehabilitation centre at Hedley Cniirt. leatherhead, where he •

has been since his leg came out of plaster 10 days ago, the 29-year-old Colclough said: “Things are going really well, I could not be more pleased. “Everyone here is confident 111 be fit to go with the Lions, so I am hoping to be included when the side is announced on March 21.” Colclough is receiving treatment six hours a day and could be in Hedley Court for a further month. If he continues to progress at his current rate, Colclough believes he could even play a couple of games next month before the Lions leave. His availability would be marvellous news for the Lions selectors because the

second row is one of their problem areas. The Irishman, Donal Lenihan, and Wales’ Bob Norster, look to have booked their places and Colclough could be the third, so just one more lock would be needed. ' England’s Steve Bainbridge and a Welshman, John Perkins, are obviously in contention. However, a surprise choice could be Waterloo’s Jim Syddall, who won one cap last year. He has not been considered by England this season because he was sent off in a club match. Colclough, first capped five years ago, went on the 1980 Lions tour of South Africa and played in all four tests. He has been

badly missed by England, who are still looking for their first championship win this season. The Welsh Rugby Union have cancelled a proposed tour of Argentina because of last year’s Falklands war, the union said yesteday. However, they said they hoped the tour, originally planned for next year, could be staged at a later date. “In view of the Falklands war and the fact that relationships between Britain and the Argentine are far from normal, the Welsh Rugby Union has decided that- a tour in 1984 would be inappropriate and inadvisable," the union said in a statement.