Earl Rose has missed out on the Lions' squad © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Earl Rose

Tournaments/Tours: Currie Cup

Teams: Golden Lions | South Africa

Springbok tourist Earl Rose's rapid descent has continued with his axing from the Golden Lions' Currie Cup squad.

The utility back, who toured the northern hemisphere with the national side in November, fell out of favour with Lions boss Dick Muir during their disastrous Super 14 campaign and after a spell playing in the Vodacom Cup competition, he has been deemed surplus to requirements for this season's Currie Cup.

Super 14 skipper Cobus Grobbelaar is also missing from the squad with a season-ending injury while Dusty Noble, Justin Wheeler, Lawrence Sephaka, Nico Luus and Wigan Pekeur have also been ruled out. USA Eagle Todd Clever has signed to play in Japan.

Despite their injury list coach John Mitchell, fresh from his duties in Perth with the Western Force, is confident in his squad, which includes former Springboks and Saracens flanker Wikus van Heerden.

"The guys have been training well, and they've been doing some very hard yards, and I'm impressed with what I've seen. It's going to be a difficult competition, but one we are ready for, and are looking forward to starting next week," he said.

Golden Lions Currie Cup squad: Alwyn Hollenbach, Burton Francis, Charles Emslie, Chris Jonck, David Bulbring, Deon van Rensburg, Derrick Minnie, Doppies la Grange, Elton Jantjies, Franco van der Merwe, George Earle, Hans van Dyk, Herkie Kruger, Jaco Kriel, Jaco Taute, Jano Vermaak, JC Janse van Rensburg, Johan Snyman, Jonathan Mokuena, JP Joubert, Kevin Buys, Marius Delport, Martin Bezuidenhout, Michael Killian, Pieter Engelbrecht, Robert Kruger, Ross Geldenhuys, Ruan Vermeulen, Tonderai Chavhanga, Wandile Mjekevu, Warren Whiteley, Waylon Murray, Wayne Swart, Wikus van Heerden