Wallace: Big Euan was best in the scrum
Former Lions star Paddy Wallace says losing Euan Murray for the Test series with South Africa is a big blow for the tourists.
"Our challenge will be poorer for the loss of Euan Murray," said Wallace, a veteran of the 1997 Lions triumph over the Springboks.
Murray has been ruled out of today's first Test and the rest of the tour after picking up an ankle injury in the final provincial game against the Southern Kings.
"I have not been more impressed by a tighthead attacking with his right shoulder for some years now," said Wallace.
"He probably offers a little bit less around the field than some of the other guys.
"But you have to say his scrummaging has been top notch and it's a great shame that injury has caused him to fly home and denied him the chance to compete for a Test spot."
Wallace famously emerged from the shadows in 1997, the last time the Lions toured South Africa, to play a crucial role in the triumphant Test series.
And the Irishman feels that the current crop of front-row forwards have the measure of their Springbok counterparts.
"Murray is definitely the best operator in the tight," said the ex-Ireland prop.
"But, to be fair, both Phil Vickery and Adam Jones have been excellent on this tour as well and offer other strengths.
"I would take any one of the three of them in front of the South African guys.
"It's an area where the Lions are much stronger."
There has been much speculation this week over the appointment of Bryce Lawrence as the referee for the first Test and whether he will allow a meaningful contest at the scrum.
The Kiwi official has taken charge of a high number of Super 14 matches, in a competition where the emphasis tends to be on using the scrum solely as a means to restart the game.
Wallace is hopeful that this will not be the case come the weekend, especially as it is one area the Lions could win.
"The scrum is crucial. But if you ask any prop that then he will tell you the same thing," he laughed. "I think the Lions can attack John Smit (South African captain) out of position at tighthead and gain a real ascendancy."
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