Wilkinson to get first start
Clive Woodward’s Test side to face the All Blacks is beginning to take shape after he named a powerful line-up for Wednesday’s clash with Wellington.
Jonny Wilkinson starts his first game for the Lions in New Zealand at fly-half in what is the most dangerous back division Woodward has fielded on the tour so far.
“I am starting to form a Test team in my head. I think it is all coming together. I know pretty clearly now where we are heading and who the players are I need to see now,” said Woodward.
“It is a big game for a lot of players. After Wednesday I will have a very clear notion of my Test team.”
New arrivals Jason Robinson and Gareth Thomas start on the wings with Josh Lewsey, who was not at his best in yesterday’s defeat to the New Zealand Maori, given an immediate opportunity to put things right from fullback.
Captain Brian O’Driscoll also plays again and is partnered in the centre by Welshman Gavin Henson, a combination widely considered to be the likely Test midfield.
In the pack, Neil Back returns from suspension to the open-side and he will need a big game at the Wespac Stadium after the Lions lost the battle at the breakdown yesterday.
Martin Corry starts at number eight and takes on the vice-captaincy role while Simon Easterby, who was called onto the tour as a replacement for Lawrence Dallaglio, is the blindside flanker.
Woodward said today he would “not necessarily” be showing his full hand before the first Test on June 25, but there are only a few players expected to be pushing hard for a Test place not involved.
Richard Hill, Steve Thompson and Andrew Sheridan all started yesterday, while Paul O’Connell is on the replacements’ bench along with scrum-half Chris Cusiter, versatile flanker Lewis Moody, fly-half Stephen Jones and utility back Shane Horgan.
The British and Irish Lions team to play Wellington on Wednesday is:
J Lewsey (Wasps and England); J Robinson (Sale and England), B O’Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland, capt), G Thomas (Toulouse and Wales); J Wilkinson (Newcastle and England), D Peel (Lanelli and Wales); G Jenkins (Cardiff and Wales), S Byrne (Leinster and Ireland), J White (Leicester and England), D Grewcock (Bath and England), B Kay (Leicester and England), S Easterby (Llanelli and Ireland), N Back (Leicester and England), M Corry (Leicester and England).
Replacements: G Bulloch (Leeds and Scotland), M Stevens (Bath and England), P O’Connell (Munster and Ireland), L Moody (Leicester and England), C Cusiter (Borders and Scotland), S Jones (Clermont Auvergne and Wales), S Horgan (Leinster and Ireland)
