Mike Blair called up to Lions squad

Called up: Scotland star Mike Blair has replaced the injured Tomas O’Leary

13 April 2012

Scotland captain Mike Blair has replaced injured scrum half Tomas O'Leary in the Lions squad for the summer tour to South Africa.

Blair has edged out England's Danny Care, whose final attempt to win over coach Ian McGeechan on Saturday saw him taken off mid-way through the second half of Harlequins 17-0 semi-final play-off defeat by London Irish.

McGeechan said: "Sport can be very cruel. One minute Tomas was celebrating his well-earned call up to the Lions tour to South Africa, the next he is being carried off injured while playing for Munster against Llanelli Scarlets in Cork.

"Unfortunately, the injury was a serious one and it ruled Tomas out of the tour. We wish him all the very best for a quick recovery.

"The selectors and I have had plenty of time to review the situation in terms of a replacement scrum half and were in agreement that Mike Blair should replace Tomas. He was on our reserve list for such an eventuality."

Simon Shaw, the London Wasps and England lock, has also confirmed he will be fit for the Lions tour.

The squad departs from London a week on Saturday and there had been concern over Shaw following knee pain and he went for an MRI scan which revealed a pocket of fluid on the area.

"It is not a major problem and I will be on the plane," he said.