JOHANNESBURG // Inside centre Jamie Roberts staked his claim for a Test place by scoring two tries as the British and Irish Lions routed Gauteng Lions 74-10 at Ellis Park. Roberts was a potent attacking threat during his 53 minutes of action as the Lions's backs ran amok, with the wingers Tommy Bowe and Ugo Monye and fly-half Stephen Jones also pressing for places in the side to play three Tests against the Springboks.
Welshman Roberts was a battering ram in midfield, bursting through the weak Gauteng defence on several occasions as the Lions found the momentum that was lacking in their opening victory against the Royal Highveld XV last weekend. Captain Brian O'Driscoll showed his silky skills outside Roberts, setting up the Welshman's first try and scoring one of his own. The Lions scored 10 tries in all. Gauteng were playing for the first time under coach Hans Coetzee following the axing of Eugene Eloff after a poor Super 14 campaign. The disruption was evident on the playing field as Gauteng produced an inept performance characterised by porous defence.
* Reuters
