Rowntree refuses to get carried away over Sheridan

(GETTY IMAGES)

Graham Rowntree is adamant he will not "fall into the trap" of billing Andrew Sheridan as a player who could single-handedly destroy South Africa's scrum.

Sheridan, like several other players, is awaiting the Test team verdict of British and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan.

McGeechan is due to finalise his side for the opening Springboks showdown in Durban next weekend tomorrow night after the Lions face Southern Kings, with Sheridan and Wales prop Gethin Jenkins vying for loosehead duty.

Many pundits in South Africa view Sheridan as the dangerman who might wreak havoc opposite Springboks skipper and tighthead John Smit, but Rowntree is not getting carried away.

"I am speaking from my experience with England," said Lions scrum specialist Rowntree.

"I remember the autumn series last year where (Australian prop) Al Baxter was supposed to be quaking in his boots, and we didn't do a job on them.

"Every time that pressure is put on us, I would say we haven't always delivered.

"So I am not going to fall into this trap again of what Andrew Sheridan, or whoever our loosehead is, is supposedly going to do to John Smit.

"Smit has been around the Test circuit a long time. I don't see it as this supposed area of weakness that everyone else does.

"There have been times over the last few years where England are supposed to have decimated and destroyed opposition packs, and we just haven't delivered. I just feel that trap is waiting for us if we are not careful.

"These are the world champions in their own back garden. They are not going to let us push them around.

"This is not pointing the finger at him (Sheridan) not delivering. As a pack, I think back to the autumn when we were supposed to knock Australia about, and they turned us over twice. I found watching those two scrums embarrassing.

"I am sure Andrew would agree - we just didn't deliver - and it's not all down to him.

"It's always a collective thing, but it always seems to be that unless Andrew completely obliterates someone, he is deemed to have failed."

Rowntree admits "difficult decisions" will be faced in selecting all three rows of the scrum.

"We've got some good selection headaches," he added. "We haven't picked anything yet, and those guys who take the field on Tuesday have got a huge opportunity. There is a big carrot there for many players.

"I think there will be a few guys who play on Tuesday who will play on Saturday as well. That's just the way it is."

The Lions could have a clean bill of health heading into the Test.

Only full-back Rob Kearney is currently unavailable for the game against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth tomorrow.

Kearney suffered a dead leg during the 26-23 victory over Western Province on Saturday but he is expected to regain full fitness in the next few days.

Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair, meanwhile, faces a late test on his ankle to determine whether or not he will be fit.

Lions doctor Gary O'Driscoll also played down any concerns surrounding Blair's fellow scrum-halves Harry Ellis and Mike Phillips.

England international Ellis has a mild chest infection, while Test number nine favourite Phillips has been suffering from bruising and stiffness in his lower back.