Clive Woodward has selected four Irish players in his British and Irish Lions squad to face New Zealand in Saturday’s critical first test at Christchurch. As expected, Brian O’Driscoll will captain the side from outside centre.
He will be joined in the starting XV by Munster’s Paul O’Connell in the second row and Leinster’s Shane Byrne at hooker while utility back Shane Horgan has secured a spot on the bench.
O’Driscoll, O’Connell and Byrne will be joined by eight English and four Welsh players in an experienced looking starting XV.
England and Wales’s Test fly-halves have both been selected to form a left/right boot kicking combination at fly-half and inside centre. Wales’s Steven Jones will start the match in his customary number 10 spot with England world cup winner Jonny Wilkinson set to line up alongside him at inside centre, inside O’Driscoll. Scrumhalf Matt Dawson and centre Will Greenwood, both of England, will join Horgan in providing cover off the bench.
England captain Jason Robinson has been selected at fullback in an interchangeable looking back three that also includes Josh Lewsey (England), who has impressed at fullback thus far in the tour, and experienced Welshman Gareth Thomas, both at wing.
An experienced looking backrow has also been selected with the English combination of Martin Corry, Richard Hill and Neil Back set to pack down. Welsh star Ryan Jones has been rewarded with a spot on the bench for his barnstorming display against Otago on Saturday.
At lock, O’Connell will be partnered by Ben Kay with Kay’s England partner Danny Grewcock providing cover on the bench.
Gethin Jenkins of Wales, Byrne of Ireland and Julian White of England make up a dynamic looking front row with grizzled veteran Graham Rowntree and Steve Thompson, whose throwing in travails have put paid to his starting XV claims, among the substitutes.
Lions team: Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks, England); Josh Lewsey (London Wasps, England), Brian O'Driscoll (capt, Leinster, Ireland), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons, England), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse, Wales); Dwayne Peel (Llanelli, Wales), Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne, Wales); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff, Wales), Shane Byrne (Leinster, Ireland), Julian White (Leicester Tigers, England), Paul O'Connell (Munster, Ireland), Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers, England), Richard Hill (Saracens, England), Neil Back (Leicester Tigers, England), Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers, England).
Replacements: Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints, England), Graham Rowntree (Leicester Tigers, England), Danny Grewcock (Bath, England), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, Wales), Matt Dawson (London Wasps, England), Will Greenwood (Harlequins, England), Shane Horgan (Leinster, Ireland).
