Top 22 isn't a catch

Former Lions and England halfback Nigel Melville says that young Lions players will not get a fair amount of game time unless the Lions concept is rethought and unless the test 22 is known before the Lions leave Britain.

Using Wales' Gavin Henson as an example, Melville said Henson was left out of the 2003 World Cup by Steve Hansen, then Wales coach, and that it was no secret that there were doubts about Henson's defence.

Writing in The Guardian, Melville said: "... in this year's Six Nations Henson was targeted - and quite clinically - by one nation who had done their video homework.

"So, given that Henson had only just got his head around the Welsh defensive patterns, is it any wonder that he struggled to cope with the system imposed by the Lions coach, when his old mentor was pulling the All Black strings?"

Melville said Henson needed game time but didn't get it and neither would future young Lions players unless the Lions concept was revisited. "That means a smaller squad and no promises as to how many games players will get. Replacements can fly in, as Ryan Jones and Simon Easterby have proved successfully.

"The test 22 should know who they are and play together, possibly twice before leaving their training camp in Britain and every Saturday for the duration of the tour."

Melville also called for meaningful opposition - Super 12 sides - for both midweek and Saturday pre-test warm-up matches, "not a couple of soft touches to deny the Lions a mental and physical edge".

- HERALD ON SUNDAY