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Lions 2013: Rory Best has chance of Test spot says Warren Gatland

Rory Best
By Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport

Coach Warren Gatland says hooker Rory Best can fight for a Test place after his late call-up for the Lions tour.

The Ulster player, 30, has replaced the banned Dylan Hartley and flew out with the rest of the Lions party on Monday.

"It is strange sometimes how fate can intervene and a player who was unlucky to miss out has a chance to step up and fight for a place," said Gatland.

"It wouldn't surprise me if later in the tour he is in serious contention for a Test spot."

The exclusion of Ireland hooker Best was one of the biggest talking points when the initial squad was named on 30 April, with Hartley a surprise choice to fellow England hooker Tom Youngs and Wales' Richard Hibbard.

Gatland revealed the discussion over the hookers took the longest of any position, and even then he was unsure whether he and his fellow coaches had come to the right decision.

"I have no problem itting that post-selection I had that discussion with myself - 'did we make the right call here">