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Mike Blair's Lions call-up has left selectors still needing to replace one, or more than likely two, more players for the trip to South Africa.

As it stands, Lions chief Ian McGeechan is in need of another outside centre following Tom Shanklin's injury, and there is a very strong likelihood he will also have to add another loose forward to his party.

Alan Quinlan faces a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday and it would be a huge surprise if he does not receive a ban for the alleged offense of making contact with the eye/eyes area of Leo Cullen in Munster's Heineken Cup semi-final loss to Leinster.

The Lions selectors had the two Guinness Premiership play-offs on their radar last weekend, along with several Celtic League matches.

Winners

Delon Armitage (London Irish and England)

Armitage elder (pictured) was a surprise omission from the original Lions party, having impressed for club and country through the Premiership, autumn internationals and Six Nations. A key performer for England at full-back, Armitage produced a sublime display at centre as the Exiles dominated their play-off clash with Harlequins. Armitage has the skills to play at the back and in midfield, as well as the confidence to work his way into the Lions Test side.

Tom Croft (Leicester and England)

Considered by many as a shoe-in for the tour, Croft has kept his own council since failing to make the squad and focused on producing the goods in Leicester's bid for the double. Was not quite at his man-of-the-match best from the Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Cardiff Blues, but was still a prominent force in the comfortable play-off win over Bath. One of the most athletic forwards in world rugby, surely McGeechan will now jump at the chance to make amends for his original omission.

Sam Vesty (Leicester)

The in-form and versatile Leicester back was mentioned in Lions despatches, but considered a real outsider for selection to the original party. Vesty remains an unlikely replacement for Shanklin, but he was once again at the forefront of the Tigers' effort, varying his game superbly from fly-half and touching down for his fifth try of the season. Unlikely to get the call up, but he could have done little more to boost his chances.

Losers

Ryan Jones (Ospreys and Wales)

Named captain of Wales squad to tour to USA and Canada this summer, which does not necessarily preclude him from a Lions call up, but suggests he is not first choice to replace Quinlan. Led Ospreys to victory over Glasgow in Celtic League but failed to produce performance to match rival Croft for the spare back-row berth.

Danny Care (Harlequins and England)

Superbly shackled by the Exiles defence and Steffon Armitage in particular, Care was unable to show his repertoire of attacking skills in Premiership play-off defeat and move ahead of Blair. Needed a big game to convince the selectors he is ready for the step up to Lions rugby, but the Irish defence just did not give him a chance.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport