Lions Watch: Hogg celebrates his 21st and Dan Lydiate keeping it country

Dan Lydiate keeping up to speed with all his agricultural news Down Under while the youngest member of the touring party celebrates his 21^st.

Lydiate keeping it country

It has been a big week for Welsh flanker Dan Lydiate. After narrowly missing out to Tom Croft for the number six jersey in Brisbane, he came off the bench to earn his first Test cap to put his injury troubles of 2013 firmly behind him. Now in the absence of Geoff Parling he has been given the honour of captaining the midweek side against the Melbourne Rebels tomorrow and Paul O’Connell has decided to shed more light on the tackling machine. O’Connell has been ruled out of the tour after fracturing his arm and while we could have forgiven him for being a bit down in the dumps, he was showing that his mood is still upbeat. Even if it is at the expense of the Welsh blindside flanker. John Hayes was one of the most celebrated farmers in Irish rugby, while the Welsh have always been proud of their agricultural roots, with Lydiate now carrying on that tradition.

@dan_lydiate genuinely reads this magazine! pic.twitter.com/RxwlaFg7MZ — Paul O'Connell (@Paul_OConnell) June 24, 2013

 

Hogg the birthday boy

The youngest member of the Lions squad celebrated his 21^st birthday today in camp and Stuart Hogg, along with his trusty companion BIL, were indulging in no more than some chocolate cake. The Scottish back has justified his place in the squad with some assured performances at both full-back and out-half and we would expect him to feature in more Lions tours in the future if he continues this rate of progression. He may indulge in more birthday celebrations - Jagerbombs - when the tour is over and if it was birthday bumps he was looking for, he was mixing in the right company. Lions coverage on JOE brought to you in association with Kellogg’s, official cereal & snack provider to the IRFU.