British & Irish Lions: Henderson captains side to win but covid leaves 8 players self-isolating
Last updated 8th Jul 2021
Ulster captain Iain Henderson led the British & Irish Lions to a 54-7 win over the Sharks in Johannesburg last night (Wednesday).
It was the first time the 29-year-old had skippered the side and he put in an impressive shift.
They ran in eight tries - having been forced to make four changes to the starting line up after positive Covid tests in the camp placed eight players in self-isolation.
Lions managing director Ben Calveley has ruled out the possibility of finishing the tour in the UK as coronavirus threatens its ongoing viability in South Africa.
Outbreaks of Covid in four different playing squads have seen the Lions' match against the Bulls on Saturday postponed, while the Springboks' clash with Georgia on Friday has been cancelled.
Although the tour is in danger of unravelling as a result of the pandemic, Calveley has insists the objective is to ensure the Test series proceeds as planned starting in Cape Town on July 24.
"All the games are important, but the Test series is paramount. We're here in South Africa and our intention is to get the games over the line in South Africa,'' Calveley told Sky Sports