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edinburgh_gunner
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Makes you think who they'll take, two names mentioned there are Armitage and Paterson. I'd love to see Mossy picked, but I just don't think he will be. His utility is a pretty good thing to have on a tour, and he is the world's best kicker, but I think his lack of physicality will probably stand against him.
Wouldn't complain a bit if it was Armitage though, he was one of England's best players in the 6 nations and autumn tests. He's certainly got the talent for it at any rate.
rLeigh Halfpenny was playing semi-pro club rugby for Cardiff RFC a year ago Cardiff Blues winger Leigh Halfpenny will miss the start of the Lions tour due to a thigh injury.
Halfpenny, 20, will return to Cardiff on Friday for treatment on an existing injury that has "proved more significant than first thought".
The injury requires at least 10-14 days treatment and a replacement will be announced in due course.
However, once Halfpenny is fully fit he will rejoin Ian McGeechan's squad out in South Africa.
This will take the tour party back to 37 players as originally announced but was reduced to 36 following the injury to centre Tom Shanklin, Halfpenny's Wales and Blues team-mate.
A Lions statement said: "It is the belief of the Lions management team that it would be better for the player to receive intensive treatment in Cardiff.
"The management have always had the expectation that travelling players should be fit to play the first game on tour.
"A replacement player will be announced in due course."
The Lions will be looking for a replacement not only to cover Halfpenny's position on the wing and, potentially, at full-back, but his goalkicking.
England full-back Delon Armitage missed the chance of a call-up when the Lions opted not to replace Shanklin but his name will return to the frame, while Scotland's Chris Paterson is another option.
Lions head coach McGeechan has already lost the services of Shanklin with a shoulder injury and Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary, who has a broken ankle, and was replaced by Mike Blair.
McGeechan could also be without O'Leary's Munster team-mate Alan Quinlan after the back-row was handed a 12-week suspension.
Quinlan is appealing that ban, having been found guilty of making contact with the eye area of Leinster captain Leo Cullen in the recent Heineken Cup semi-final match.
Halfpenny has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top after going from playing semi-pro club rugby a year ago to earn the call to face South Africa this summer.
He was a surprise Wales starter, then aged just 19, against the Springboks last November as the world champions came to Cardiff.
Wales lost 20-15 in a thriller, with Halfpenny opening his Test points account with a penalty when used as a long-range kicking option.
06: DEBATE The youngster did not take long to score his first try for his country with a brace against Canada the following week and featured in the third November Test against New Zealand, a 29-9 defeat.
But Halfpenny was left out of the following week's famous win over Australia as Wales coach Warren Gatland opted for the greater experience of Mark Jones.
But Gatland - who is one of McGeechan's assistants to South Africa - restored Halfpenny for the Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Halfpenny rewarded the faith shown in him with a third Test try and then added a crucial fourth plus another penalty in the next round's win over England.
He also played against France but missed out for the final two games against Italy and Ireland.
However, some fine performances for the Blues - especially in their march to claim the EDF Energy Cup and reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals - saw Halfpenny get the Lions call.[/b]
Makes you think who they'll take, two names mentioned there are Armitage and Paterson. I'd love to see Mossy picked, but I just don't think he will be. His utility is a pretty good thing to have on a tour, and he is the world's best kicker, but I think his lack of physicality will probably stand against him.
Wouldn't complain a bit if it was Armitage though, he was one of England's best players in the 6 nations and autumn tests. He's certainly got the talent for it at any rate.
