SHARKS v LIONS
Venue: ABSA Park, Durban (kick-off 1810 BST) Date: 10 June 2009 Coverage: Live coverage on Sky Sports 2 from 1730 BST and BBC Sport website, second half commentary on Five Live and online. Find complete listings here

Centre Jamie Roberts is pushing hard for a Lions Test berth

Jamie Roberts has revealed the fight for Lions places is intensifying as the countdown to the first Test against South Africa begins in earnest.

The Wales centre plays against the Sharks on Wednesday, as the first clash with the Springboks looms on 20 June.

"Everyone is fighting for that Test spot," admitted Blues star Roberts.

"The coaches have stated they are not picking that Test side until Test week. It keeps it all open to everybody and everyone's got that fighting chance."

Roberts is picked alongside Brian O'Driscoll in the same centre pairing which was outstanding in the 74-10 win over the Golden Lions a week ago.

And the Welshman is looking forward to renewing that partnership and being outside Ronan O'Gara.

"[I'm] squashed between two Irishmen who have been extremely successful this season. I played with Ronan in the first game, I know how much he demands of the players outside him," Roberts said.

"He is a really tough character and it will be great to play alongside him and Brian.

"It's a tough one individually. You want to shine, do well and show your cause but you can only do that within a winning structure.

"It's all about the team over here. You put your individual ambition aside."

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to the Lions selection against the Sharks

For the clash against the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday the Lions have picked a starting side that includes seven Welshmen and six Irishmen, with the other places going to two Englishmen.

"It's a good mix. Both Wales and Ireland have been successful this year. It's great to have a good representation from both of them," Roberts added.

"I'm sure there will be guys from England and Scotland who will be chomping at the bit when they come on. But here it's one team and things like that don't really matter."

Roberts insists the clash against the Sharks, who finished sixth in the Super 14, will be the most difficult match on tour so far after the victories against the Royal XV, the Golden Lions and the Cheetahs.

"It's going to be another step up. Especially these next two games [the Lions play Western Province on Saturday] from the first three. They [The Sharks] are a very good outfit," Roberts said.

"They are there and thereabouts [in the Super 14] every season. There are some quality players there. We will do our homework and Wednesday night is going to be a very tough game for us.

"[I'm] delighted to be picked again and just really looking forward to playing again. We are three from three and looking to continue that."

Meanwhile, full-back Lee Byrne, another of the seven Welshmen picked against the Sharks, admits pressure is growing on the players.

"There is big pressure to put down a marker for that Test jersey," said the Ospreys player.

"This could be my last chance and I have to show what I can do.

"To be selected for the tour was great, but to claim a Test jersey would be another level."

Sharks: Stefan Terblanche; Chris Jordaan, Andries Strauss, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu; Monty Dumond, Rory Kockott; Deon Carstens, Skipper Badenhorst, Jannie du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Johann Muller (capt), Jacques Botes, Jean Deysel, Keegan Daniel.
Replacements: Craig Burden, Patric Cilliers, Albert van den Berg, Michael Rhodes, Charl McLeod, Guy Cronje, Lwazi Mvovo.

British and Irish Lions: Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales); Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster/Ireland); Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Lee Mears (Bath/England), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland, capt), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland).
Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales).

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