Lions Head Coach, Sir Clive Woodward, has named a strong team for the tour opener against Bay of Plenty next Saturday. As expected tour captain Brian O’Driscoll will lead an experienced team, including Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill, in Rotorua. Woodward hopes to erase memories of the spluttering 25-25 draw against Argentina in Cardiff last week, and has named several test favourites in the side in an attempt to start on a winning note to their eleven match tour.
“There is a huge sense of anticipation now that our first game in New Zealand is so close,” Woodward said. “Bay of Plenty will want to give us a very tough match so we have selected a very strong side who will give us a good start to this tour.”
Alongside Dallaglio and Hill in the back row is RBS Six Nations player of the year Martyn Williams, while Welsh wonder Gavin Henson will link up with O’ Driscoll in the midfield.
The red-haired Henson has been out of action for more than a month with a groin injury, but following a course of pain-killing injections he is now ready to lay claim to a test spot in what many Lions fans would see as an ideal midfield pairing.
“It will be great to get out there and play the first match in New Zealand. This is a strong side and we can’t wait to get out in front of the New Zealand public and show what we can do on the rugby field,” O’Driscoll said.
Wing Mark Cueto, a late call-up for the injured Iain Balshaw, has an early chance to impress in a back three that includes Rugby World Cup winner Josh Lewsey at fullback and Tom Shanklin on the left wing.
“I was thrilled to hear I was selected. Just over a week ago I didn’t think I’d be here at all,” Cueto said. “To be in the team for the first match of the tour is fantastic. I can’t wait to get out there.”
The Lions had a training session today, their first since their arrival on Friday.
British & Irish Lions team v Bay of Plenty
15 Josh Lewsey (England)
14 Mark Cueto (England)
13 Brian O’Driscoll (Ire, captain)
12 Gavin Henson (Wales)
11 Tom Shanklin (Wales)
10 Ronan O’Gara (Ireland)
09 Dwayne Peel (Wales)
08 Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
07 Martyn Williams (Wales)
06 Richard Hill (England)
05 Ben Kay (England)
04 Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
03 Matt Stevens (England)
02 Gordon Bulloch (Scotland)
01 Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
Replacements:
Steve Thompson (England)
Andrew Sheridan (England)
Malcolm O’Kelly (Ireland)
Martin Corry (England)
Matt Dawson (England)
Charlie Hodgson (England)
Gordon D’Arcy (Ireland)
