Cian Healy; Lion

By Gary Watton
June 9 2013

There is a certain inevitability [if past history is anything to judge by] that the Lions tour to Australia will descend into the revolving door farce of casualties replaced by originally overlooked players. In the case of the latter, having had their egos badly bruised by the initial snub, one can imagine any rugby player who is suddenly summoned as a tour replacement literally dropping what they are doing and boarding the next possible aeroplane for Australia in order to prove a point or three.

So it has proven as the original selections [for differing reasons], Dylan Hartley, our very own Cian Healy, and Gethin Jenkins, and possibly our dearest Tommy Bowe have had to endure the heartache of making way for lesser mortals. Up has stepped Rory Best, Alex Corbisiero, Ryan Grant, and now the dazzling Simon Zebo to fill the void.

I was initially a bit disappointed that Zebo had been omitted. In his defence, the dynamic winger had to sit out most of the Six Nations [perhaps no bad thing, given the inadequacies of his fellow-countrymen], so it was perhaps difficult to make a case for a guy who was only returning from injury. However, Simon had electrified all and sundry back in early February in the Cardiff cauldron with a couple of match-winning moments. He definitely offers a lot more variety to his repertoire than the current incumbents on tour. Young Cuthbert and North are fast lock forwards. They would be at home in the direct-running arena of rugby league, something which can equally be said of the formidable triumvirate of O'Driscoll, Roberts, and Tuilagi.

Where Simon Zebo differs from the aforementioned quintet is that he is an old-fashioned elusive runner, in the mould of a Keith Crossan, Rory Underwood, or Shane Williams. He is no slouch at tackling but he clearly has the skill and pace to operate in the confined space on the wing and is a clinical finisher, when given half a yard.

It is massively unfortunate for Tommy Bowe who seemed almost certain to add to his Lions caps from South Africa. Big Tommy is another strong, pacy direct runner, almost akin to say Trevor Ringland. It is hoped that he may feature in the latter stages of the tour, but it remains to be seen if this is wishful thinking from all concerned. However, I guess that the Lions management are reluctant to lose such an experienced and valuable asset.

Meanwhile, Cian Healy has had an eventful but short-lived tour. Cited for biting, he may have escaped that charge, but he was less successful at shaking off injury. Cian had a big chance of starting the first test, but he may yet have the opportunity in four years time to make amends for this obvious disappointment. Wales's Adam Jones has spoken fondly of his time with Healy, a testimony which is at apparent odds from the on-field persona of Mr H. Cian has already provided us with a snapshot of his rugby. He is a wholehearted performer, who certainly doesn't go through the motions. Perhaps he is guilty of playing his rugby a little close to the edge. However, in four years time, he will be older and wiser, and maybe even a better player too.

Meanwhile, I fear that Zebo is arriving a fraction too late in the tour to make his way into the first two tests. He is almost certainly a little too far down the pecking order. One hopes that he will feature in a couple of midweek matches, and should the Lions implode in the first couple of tests, Simon will perhaps be called upon in the third and final test. However, I suspect that he may find himself merely appointed as chief suitcase-carrier in the remaining three weeks of the excursion.