This alarming headline in the New Zealand Heraldcaught my eye this morning.

The full story reveals that a high school rugby player in Canada has been found guilty of manslaughter over a 'spear' tackle.

The teenager, who is now 18 and cannot be named under Canada's youth laws, was playing in a game in the Ontario in 2007 when, the prosecution said, he lifted rival player Manny Castillo into the air, his feet facing upwards, and drove him head first into the ground. Castillo died from a serious head injury a few days after the incident, the Toronto Star reported.

The accused claimed he reacted to get out of a headlock applied by Castillo. He also said Castillo was pushed, not dumped, onto the ground, the Star said.

But the prosecution said it was an unlawful assault outside the rules of the game and Justice Bruce Duncan rejected self-defence and ruled the accused cause the death of Castillo.

"The defendant intentionally applied force that was outside the rules of the game or any standard by which the game is played," the judge said.

This sounds like a difficult one for the judicial system although there is no doubt such an assault - outside the laws of the game - should be punished under the law of the land.

There have been cases in the UK - like this one where acts of unacceptable violence on the rugby field have led to legal proceedings.

Should rugby players be held liable for injuries they cause to others?

We're off and running - rugby's last great adventure has another dedicated follower.

My flight touched down in Jo'burg safe and sound this morning and I emerged a little bleary-eyed to blue skies and warm sunshine. Bumped into Rugby World editor Paul Morgan and BBC Five Live's Ian Robertson and some immediate networking secured me a lift into the city with Stephan Weyers and Gerrie Swart from Essentially - which is one of the big players, if not the biggest, in rugby talent management.

Incredibly generous guys who were not only helpful in terms of their vehicle and advice but also offered to get me some access with the Boks they look after. A promise to meet again over a few beers saw us part and a swift check in at my hotel was followed by a trip up the road to the Sandton Convention Centre for the Lions team announcement.

A host of familiar faces gather for the press conference - the British & Irish press are here in good numbers and South Africa too are represented - including Die Burger's Stephen Nell who you will also recognise from the pages of Scrum.com.

A chuckle emanated from the press pack as the Lions branding fell off the front of the top table just as tour manager Gerald Davies began to speak - let's hope the wheels don't fall off this weekend.

It was all positive from the Lions triumvirate of Davies, Ian McGeechan and Paul O'Connell and there's no doubt the side they have picked is pretty formidable on paper - a big pack and some exciting backs. We've heard the word so much over the last few weeks - but will they 'gel'?

Soon it was time to get my bearings here in Sandton - one of the more pleasant areas of Jo'burg by all accounts. Many of the Lions were seen wandering around the huge shopping centre on our doorstep - they are staying up the road too - no fans to worry about but I'm sure that will change as we get nearer the Tests.

First surreal sight of the tour - Joe Worsely sat alone in one of the large function rooms at their swanky hotel playing a grand piano - he's quite good you know.

Further updates from the Lions tour will be posted on the dedicated blog here - http://blogs.scrum.com/lionstourdiary/

And while I remember - don't forget you can follow my updates - http://www.twitter.com/Graham_Jenkins and you can also check out the official ESPN Scrum Twitter site.

Ask most people in town and they will tell you that there is only one game of rugby that matters this weekend - the Bulls' Super 14 Final clash with the Chiefs in Pretoria.

The Bulls, featuring a host of Springboks such as Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and a few more-in-waiting including Morne Steyn, will be heavy favourites to claim their second Super Rugby crown in three years following their dramatic victory over the Sharks in 2007.

The Chiefs, in their first-ever final, not only face an in-form Bulls side but must also counter a vociferous Loftus Versfeld crowd and the effects of playing at altitude.

However, don't get me wrong - the Chiefs will pose a threat and will give the Bulls (and their Boks) are thorough work-out that will perhaps be more valuable than the their international counterparts will get against a Namibian XV on Friday.

The Lions game may even struggle for second-billing on a busy day of sport with the FA Cup Final clash between Chelsea and Everton also set to be a big draw.

Sources say that the 44,000 capacity Royal Bakofeng Stadium may only be half full for the Lions' tour opener with schools in the area set to benefit with a few free tickets.

England stalwart Martin Corry will lead a star-studded Barbarians team against England at Twickenham on Saturday which must surely rank as one of the strongest sides the world-famous touring team have put out - if not the best.

Barbarians: Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues & New Zealand), Doug Howlett (Munster & New Zealand), Josh Lewsey (London Wasps & England), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster & Ireland), Iain Balshaw (Gloucester Rugby & England), Glen Jackson (Saracens), Justin Marshall (Saracens & New Zealand), Clarke Dermody (London Irish & New Zealand), Schalk Brits (Stormers & South Africa), Greg Somerville (Gloucester Rugby & New Zealand), Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers & England, capt), Chris Jack (Saracens & New Zealand), Jerry Collins (Toulon & New Zealand), Serge Betsen (London Wasps & France), Rocky Elsom (Leinster & Australia)

Replacements: Sebastien Bruno (Sale Sharks & France), B J Botha (Ulster & South Africa), Paul Tito (Cardiff Blues), Phil Waugh (Waratahs & Australia), Chris Whitaker (Leinster & Australia), Mike Catt (London Irish & England), Ratu Nasiganiyavi (Waratahs)

Would surely give the Barbarians side that took on Australia last year - and widely regarded as the most formidable selection in the Baa-Baas' history - a great game?

Barbarians: Percy Montgomery; Joe Rokocoko, Rico Gear, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Francois Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Federico Pucciariello, John Smit, Cencus Johnson, Bakkies Botha, Johann Muller, Jerry Collins, Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw

Replacements: Mark Regan, Rodney Blake, Chris Jack, Nick Koster, George Gregan, Ollie Smith, Shane Williams

Who do you think would win?

The Lions rolled out the welcome mat one last time at their five-star Surrey base on Sunday and the scene could not have been further from the brutal battle that surely awaits them against the Springboks in South Africa.

Tea and cucumber sandwiches on the terrace of the beautiful Pennyhill Park Hotel in leafy Bagshot - described as 'awesome' by Wales' Jamie Roberts - was the order of the day and as the class of 2009 tucked in (never has a tiny triangle of bread looked more inadequate than it did in the pincers of some of these giants) the gathered media did their best to squeeze one more preview piece out of those present.

As the players spoke of an intensive week of training, successful team bonding and sci-fi-like altitude training, classical music from a wedding reception floated down while guests looked on in amazement. Never before will a bride have been so upstaged but at least their day will live long in the memory.

The blazing sunshine and the cast of players are the only elements of this picturesque scene that will be repeated come the first Test in Durban in June 20. Pleasantries will be kept to a minimum on that occasion I can assure you.

Signs are that head coach Ian McGeechan's quest to forge winning partnerships both on and off the field is reaping reward. A smiling Roberts assured me that there was a buzz amongst the players while Dr James Robson, a veteran of four previous Lions tours, insisted this tour had got off to a superb start.

"They are a great bunch of boys," he told me. "I know we harp on about ’97 but it is very much like that. It’s just like one big rugby club, the spirit is superb. They are a good bunch and there is a lot of banter and I think you can measure the success and the relaxation of the squad by the amount of banter that’s going on."

There maybe some work to do if the country grouping of the players on the terrace was anything to go by - but it's early days I guess.

The Royal XV, or the Bafokeng Royal XV to give them their full name, will be the Lions' first opposition on their forthcoming tour of South Africa. The two sides will go head-to-head at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium (recently upgraded to seat more than 44,000 spectators) in Phokeng near Rustenburg next Saturday but who exactly are they?

Under the auspices of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, the Royal XV has been assembled from the Griquas, the Griffons, the Pumas, the Falcons and the Leopards rugby unions.

Wilhelm Koch, captain of the Leopards, will lead the side while newly crowned Vodacom Cup champions, Griquas, and the Leopards, who were last year promoted to the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division, have contributed 23 of the 27 players selected for match.

Ahead of the game I caught up with an old friend and former Scrum.com contributor Ben Pegna who spent three years playing in South Africa to get the low-down on some of his former team mates.

"If you play into these guys' hands and make a big thing of the breakdown then they will love it and smash you all day," warned Pegna who played for the Villagers side in Cape Town before moving on to the Pukke Rugby Institute and the Leopards outside Johannesburg. "They are going to be waiting to line somebody up. If the Lions are able to play an off-loading game and get around them then that will benefit them."

But how would the average British or Irish fan gauge the standard these guys play week in, week out?

"If these guys came over to play in the UK, some of them would struggle to get contracts in the Premiership," Pegna explained. "That’s the sort of level you are looking at. They are all potentially Premiership players but are not used to playing week in week out or at the sort of pace the internationals within the Lions are used to.

"About 10 or so have Super 14 experience but even then they are not massively experienced, but what they will be is well-organised, ridiculously abrasive up front and keen to smash somebody."

So, who should we, and the Lions, be wary of? Pegna gives us a few markers.

Bees Roux (prop) - "A hard, physical presence who is at the Cheetahs now but his province is Griquas. And earlier this season he played for Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 for a couple of months."

Colin Lloyd (Wing) – "Previously at the Lions, a good player, he’s been around, quick and good counter-attacker. But not a big guy and not one of the big threats."

Egon Seconds (Wing) - "Sevens specialist, has played Springboks 7s but also 50 or 60 times for Western Province and the Stormers. Nice guy and good player."

Deon van Rensburg – "Broke through for Lions this year, playing in the centre in the Super 14. He came in for the injured Jacque Fourie and played well – a breakthrough year, a good step and one of the players to watch."

Riaan Viljoen (fly-half) - "Has got a massive boot on him – scored all 28 points in the Griquas' Vodacom Cup Final victory over the Blue Bulls. Put one over from inside his own half – a real threat. If the Lions give away penalties he will kick the goals."

Naas Olivier - (fly-half/fullback) - "Another good player. Had a spell in France but not too successful and returned to Western Province. Wanted regular rugby and is now back at Griquas. Recently drafted in for the Cheetahs in the Super 14. Has previous Super 14 experience with the Stormers too. Likes running but is a really good kicker. Scored 42 points in a Vodacom Cup game this year."

Jonathan Mokoena (flanker) - "Jono is another guy to watch out for. He was the Springboks 7s captain, comfortable anywhere in the back row, but likes carrying the ball. A good No.8. runs good lines. Captaining the Griquas at the moment and was at the Cheetahs for a couple of years. If they get some ball he could be dangerous."

Wilhelm Koch (flanker) - "Has played for the Lions and is now captain of the Leopards. Has done well and is a good, solid loose forward."

How are they likely to shape up as a team?

"They are good Vodacom Cup players and Currie Cup players in-the-making but a lot are quite young and making a name for themselves. They are solid guys, perhaps a little one-dimensional and lacking a spark. The guys to look out for are Jonathan Mokoena, Wilhelm Koch, Naas Olivier and Riaan Viljoen at 10 or 15 and up front, Bees Roux. That is the core of what they have got."

The team will be coached by Chaka Willemse who is relishing his chance against the Lions having cruelly missed his chance to square up to the elite tourists in 1997. A broken hand denied him an appearance against the Lions for the Pumas - a game won 64-14 by the Lions. One of his assistants will be Griquas coach Dawie Theron - former prop who had a spell with Sale Sharks between 1998 and 2000 and will so be able to offer some insight.

So a winning start for the Lions?

"It's a very good first game for the Lions, tough, physical but I would expect the Lions to win comfortably," concluded Pegna.

And so the worst kept secret in European rugby has finally been confirmed - Jonny Wilkinson will be plying his trade in France next season with big-spending Top 14 club Toulon.

Who can begrudge him his lucrative move to the south of France? Certainly not Newcastle to whom he has dedicated the last 12 years of his life. Nor any England fan who will be eternally grateful for that magical night in Sydney. And not any journalist who has crafted endless column inches on the back of his playing exploits and injury woes.

The guy has had the most horrendous run of luck since providing England with arguably its greatest sporting moment ever in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final. His body has failed him time and time again but not his mind. Retirement has never been considered.

The once fresh-faced star turns 30 next week and time was running out for him to broaden his rugby horizons. Two years under the sun in the Mediterranean could breathe some life into his battered body although a gruelling Top 14 campaign will offer no respite.

Will he rediscover the kind of form that has brought him 70 England caps? Let us not forget he has 1,099 Test points to his name making him the most prolific scorer in the history of the international game - however, the last of those came 14 months ago.

Time will tell if Wilkinson can prove his fitness and then his class by reclaiming the England No.10 shirt.

August 15/16 - put it in the diary - the start of the new Top 14 season where Wilkinson will be the main attraction - fancy a weekend away in the south of France?

	Lions Ronan O'Gara, Nathan Hines, Riki Flutey and Stephen Jones relax on the eve of this summer's tour © Getty Images

"The show is on the road" declared Lions tour manager Gerald Davies this morning as all but one of the 36-man squad gathered at their plush Surrey base to continue their preparations for the forthcoming tour of South Africa.

So let the madness begin - first daft photo of the tour has Ronan O'Gara, Nathan Hines, Riki Flutey and Stephen Jones relaxing on some of the 7,500 items of adidas kit the squad will be transporting to SA.

We are assured that "each member of the best equipped Lions team ever will have at least 80 pieces of personalised adidas training-wear and match-wear in his kitbag."

The Lions' Surrey base is a hive of activity as the class of 2009 gather ahead of their departure for South Africa.

Head coach Ian McGeechan, tour manager Gerald Davies and captain Paul O'Connell are set to talk to the media for the only time this week ahead of flying to SA next Sunday. The rest of the squad are floating around with the gathered media feeding on what they can.

There's a buzz about the place with players kitted out in their tour gear already - exciting times...

Lions obviously unhappy with the fact that Euan Murray was not released by Northampton for today's get together. The Leinster and Leicester contingent are here for the day ahead of their Heineken Cup showdown later this week but Saints obviously felt they couldn't do without him for the day as they prepare for Friday's European Challenge Cup. So he'll be missing from the official photo! How disappointing for the player and the Lions!

Amid last week's fanfare surrounding the confirmed bids to host the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, the IRB put the final nail in the coffin of the controversial Experimental Law Variations (ELVs). Of course they put a positive spin on the issue highlighting the 10 minor ELVs that will be passed into law.

But of particular note was their ruling that, "the integrated set of Laws will be implemented globally from May 23 or from the start of the next domestic season where competitions transcend the implementation date".

This means that the Lions will not be playing under the global ELVs when they tackle the Springboks in their three-Test series. So those trials which currently allow mauls to be pulled down and unlimited numbers at the lineout will be no more come the first Test in Durban on June 20.

But before you celebrate the impending re-birth of the maul have some sympathy for Lions head coach Ian McGeechan who will surely have picked his squad believing the ELVs would be in play. With the maul now back as a key part of the Lions' weaponry McGeechan may or may not be wishing he had made different selections but either way the IRB's decision to implement the revised laws so soon is a little thoughtless.

If the Lions didn't have enough to worry about trying to conjure a team from a group of talented individuals in just a few weeks - those players now need to get used to playing under different rules to those which they have been battling it out under for the last year.

At least the change is the same for the Springboks - yet their coach Peter de Villiers will not name his squad until June 1 allowing him to get his head around any possible changes in personnel.

In the words of Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers.

With the climax of each Premiership season comes the re-opening of the debate surrounding the use of the play-off format to decide the champions.

On this occasion there were few arguments - Leicester topped the table at the end of the regular season and underlined their supremacy with victory in their Twickenham showdown with London Irish.

Sadly the match itself did not quite live up to the occasion but there can be little doubt the best side in England lifted the silverware. The Tigers timed their run to the end of the season superbly - not so long ago they were languishing mid-table before losing just last one of their last 11 games in the Premiership - all this while surging into the latter stages of the Heineken Cup too.

Such is the structure of the season that the clubs are stripped of their leading players in the autumn and during the Six Nations - so the play-offs offer a little breathing room. A team can finish fourth in the regular season and still go on to claim the crown - although no one has - yet.

Gloucester have suffered the greatest under this set-up. Three times - in 07-08, 06-07 and 02-03 - they topped the table at the end of the season but failed to go on and claim a play-off victory. Leicester (04-05) and Bath (03-04) have suffered similar fate.

In contrast, Wasps have shown how to peak at the right time. On the four occasions they triumphed in the Premiership Final they did so having finished no better than second in the regular season.

For the record, I'm a fan of the play-offs. The end-of-season showpiece offers a fitting finale to the season for fans and players. All the teams are aware of the format before a ball is passed at the start of the season so there can be no excuses. It just helps if the final is a little more memorable than the offering served up by the Tigers and Exiles.

An end of season Top 14 clash between Toulon and Dax at the Stade Maurice Boyau would not normally feature very highly in the English media, if at all, but on this occasion it did. The reason? The result of the match would reportedly confirm the playing future of English rugby's most recognised figure - Jonny Wilkinson.

	Have we seen the back of Jonny Wilkinson in the Premiership? © Getty Images

Toulon's 22-14 victory not only cemented their Top 14 status next season but also brought them one step closer to securing the services of the England fly-half. Wilkinson is one of a number of leading players to have been heavily linked with a summer switch to the big-spending club and their place in the France's top flight was one of the remaining sticking points in what has been a protracted process.

The other main barrier to the move regards the fitness of the injury-prone Wilkinson who famously kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory against Australia in 2003 and more recently became the record international points scorer.

Since that famous night in Sydney almost six years ago, Wilkinson has started 45 matches for Newcastle and only 16 for England - an average of 12 a season. And what was is set to be his last season for Falcons was brought to a shuddering halt way back in October when he suffered the latest crippling injury blow - a dislocated knee cap.

This latest injury, the latest in a long list of setbacks since his first operation in February 2004, saw him go under the knife twice but he failed to recover before the end of the season, fate denying him a Kingston Park farewell.

Toulon will be well aware of the injury woes he has suffered and the battering his body has taken with ankle, shoulder, arm, knee, appendix, groin, kidney and more requiring varying degrees of treatment over the years. This medical lexicon, Wilkinson's lack of game time and the fact he will be turning 30 next week would surely concern even the most ardent of fans. Ask yourself - would you sign Wilkinson? Obviously the most generous of French rugby's benefactors would if he could.

Reports suggest that it is a gamble Toulon are more than willing to take. A three-year deal worth somewhere between €800,000 and €1m is reportedly on the table - but crucially this figure depends on the number of matches he plays.

The deep pockets of Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal have already been busy this summer, working on a contingency. The capture of Leinster fly-half Felipe Contepomi and Wilkinson's Falcons team mate Tom May ensures options at No.10 should the Wilkinson deal not materialise or he is struck down again by injury.

Any deal not incorporating an appearances clause would be madness. Just ask Toulon's Top 14 rivals Perpignan who paid a reported €700,000 to secure the services of All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter for seven months but got just five matches for their money after the Kiwi suffered an Achilles tendon injury. But the Catalan club claim his arrival had such a positive impact on their revenue in terms of season-ticket sales, merchandising and sponsorship that their investment was not as ill-advised as some may have thought.

Toulon are banking on Wilkinson having a similar impact on his arrival in the south of France. And Boudjellal's amusing claim that Wilkinson is the 'Michael Jackson of rugby' seems to underline that belief. We can assume that it is the 'King of Pop's' ability to shift tickets that Boudjellal is refering to.

However, it would appear that the club are already on the right track when it comes to marketing themselves. Their magnetic power was there for all to see when they opted to switch their Top 14 clash with Toulouse from their regular 14,000 capacity Stade Mayol home to the neighbouring Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

The move, similar to that which has seen Paris-based Stade Francais stage big games at the Stade de France, was an out and out success with a capacity crowd of 60,000 fans packing the stadium. Wilkinson would obviously be an added draw at such an occasion but Toulon will be hoping that the Englishman can lift their status to a whole new level on the global stage.

Toulon are no strangers to high-profile signings with Boudjellal's chequebook previously attracting the likes of George Gregan, Tana Umaga and Victor Matfield and amongst their latest additions is Philippe Saint-Andre who will take charge of the squad next season.

We will have to wait until May 18 to hear Toulon's confirmed signings for next season but it appears Wilkinson is on his way to the south of France. "Some things being said are true but others aren't," said Boudjellal this weekend. "Certain players who haven't been spoken of have also signed."

Wilkinson, along with fellow Falcons stalwarts May, Jamie Noon and Hall Charlton, was honoured for his ten years service at the club's end of season awards - maybe a telling sign?

He may have featured rarely for the Falcons but the fans would have welcomed the opportunity to thank him for his 11-years of loyalty. If they are to see him in action again they may well require a passport to do so.

Top 14's Biggest Earners?: (Source: Sunday Times)
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) - €1m
Sebastien Chabal (Racing Metro) - €1m
Francois Steyn (Racing Metro) - €750,000
Sonny Bill Williams (Toulon) - €500,000
Byron Kelleher (Toulouse) - €460,000
Juan Martín Hernández (Stade Français) - €440,000

England are promising to use the, "biggest and best stadia in England and Wales" if they are awarded Rugby World Cup 2015. The obvious options of Twickenham, Wembley, Old Trafford and the Millennium Stadium have been mentioned but what others grounds will form part of their bid?

France used 12 stadiums during RWC'07 (including the Millennium Stadium and Murrayfield that were used to varying success) and none of those had a capacity less than 33,000 which offers some guide as to where RWC'15 may play out.

The sport's global showpiece heads to New Zealand in just over two year's time where size of stadiums are limited but by the time the tournament rolls back into the northern hemisphere you can expect it to be bigger and better than ever.

Add to these facts the need to recoup a massive £80m plus guarantee and it does not look good for the historic but limited grounds used week in and week out in the Premiership that do not come close to a 30,000 capacity.

So which stadiums will be included in the RFU's bid? Here's my 12 - what do you think?

Twickenham
Wembley
Millennium Stadium
Old Trafford
Stadium of Light
Ricoh Arena
Madejski Stadium
Walkers Stadium
Bristol City Stadium (to be built)
Galpharm Stadium
Kingsholm
Sixways

You can now follow my updates on Twitter - http://twitter.com/Graham_Jenkins - where amongst other things I'll keep you across all things rugby including the British & Irish Lions tour in South Africa.

Delight for the Tigers but despair for the Blues as rugby history was made at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The first penalty shoot-out in the tournament's 14-year history was an incredibly cruel way for the Blues' European campaign to come to an end and hopefully it will be the last time we see such drama.

It was only the second ever semi-final to go to extra time after Brive and Toulouse went the distance in the 1998 - on that occasion Brive went through on the greater number of tries. The tournament's first ever final - between Toulouse and Cardiff in 1996 - also went beyond 80 minutes with the French side squeezing home. But the shoot-out had only once before reared its ugly head in a top class European tie with Beziers getting the better of Agen in the 1984 French Cup Final.

The Tigers were almost embarrassed to win what was a thrilling cup tie in such a way - no mass team celebration following Jordan Crane's winning kick. And unsurprisingly the Blues were not the greatest fans of the format following the game.

The world's best club tournament has never wanted for exciting scenarios - the stakes have always brought out the best of European rugby. As a result it does not need to resort to such staged drama.

Surely a much more favourable solution - for players and fans - would be sudden-death extra time. OK, 100 minutes of gruelling rugby could not separate the sides but are you telling me that with increasing fatigue a result would not come in another 20 minutes that would see the first score clinch victory?

Tired limbs and tired minds would lead to defensive lapses or infringements with one sure to produce a match-winning score. No player would complain with such an outcome while the queue for gripes about the penalty shoot-out is already stretching around the block.

How can such a high-profile match be decided by the kicking prowess of players who do not specialise in that facet of the game? It reflects badly on the tournament and the sport. The tournament should be ashamed of the way it treated the Blues' Martyn Williams in particular. One of the world's best players is left in tears because he could not land his place kick - when would he have ever taken a kick before?

On reflection it would be laughable if it were not so tragic. Thankfully we didn't get down to the props in sudden-death as I fear that would have been even more painful to watch. Although I dare say the ever-impressive Gethin Jenkins would have had no trouble.

European Rugby Cup chiefs should initiate a review immediately to prevent a repeat and to preserve the status of their flagship competition.

I've never seen anything like it before and hope not to see such like again.

Click here to re-live the shoot-out on YouTube

Ian McGeechan will surely be looking for his second replacement in a fortnight after Munster flanker chose to go digging for Leinster skipper Leo Cullen's contact lenses during yesterday's pulsating Heineken Cup semi-final clash at Croke Park.

The talk before the game had centred on possible tour-ending injuries to any of the 10 Lions in action in the all-Irish clash but instead it could be the indiscipline of one of his selections that has McGeechan returning to his stand-by list.

McGeechan and his fellow coaches will be in Cardiff today for the Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers semi-final clash where they were expected to finalise a decision on who would replace scrum-half Tomas O'Leary in the squad after the Munster No.9 broke his ankle on domestic duty.

Now, they will also have an eye on potential replacement backrow forwards with a possible citing hanging over Quinlan.

The independent disciplinary officer, John Byett from England, has until 7.30pm on Tuesday to study the tape and decide whether the incident was worthy of a citing - what do you think?

Recent history, including cases involving Northampton's Dylan Hartley (26 weeks) and his Saints team mate Neil Best (18 weeks), suggests that if Quinlan is cited and subsequently found guilty he could face a suspension that stretches into months and subsequently end his Lions tour before it has begun.

England's Tom Croft, a surprising omission from McGeechan's original 37-man selection, is surely the front runner to step up - but he will be one of those on show in Cardiff today so let's wait and see where the next dramatic twist will play out.

Roger Uttley has an impressive rugby CV having played for England and the Lions - including the undefeated tour of South Africa in 1974. He later went on to act as an assistant coach of the Lions on their victorious tour of Australia in 1989 and manage England so is well-placed to offer some reaction to the latest Lions squad and the task facing them in South Africa this summer.

With thanks to Stamp Productions.

British Lions interview with Roger Uttley from STAMP Productions on Vimeo.