Back still on Woodward's shortlist for Lions tour

LONDON - Lions coach Clive Woodward is prepared to pick retired flanker Neil Back for this year's tour to New Zealand, despite having dropped him from England's Six Nations squad last year.

Woodward said World Cup-winner Back, who ended his international career 11 months ago, was one of three players not involved in this season's Six Nations campaign who were in line for Lions honours.

"Backy's definitely under consideration," said Woodward. "He really has been at the top of his game.

"Age doesn't come into it," added Woodward, who resigned as England coach last September after seven years in charge. "It's how well he's playing and whether he deserves to be there."

Back, 36, made his England debut in 1994 but struggled to hold down a regular place as he was considered too small for an international loose forward.

However, after shining in the victorious Lions tour of South Africa in 1997, he became a regular in Woodward's England team, becoming part of a fearsome loose forward trio alongside Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill.

Woodward conceded he had been wrong to drop Back from his training squad before last year's Six Nations.

"In hindsight, I would have kept the whole World Cup team in place, picked every single one of them regardless of form with the exception of those who were injured or retired," he said. "I would certainly not have left Backy out. If I had my time again, I would have picked him for that first game and picked him throughout the Six Nations.

"I've spoken to Neil a few times. I think he understands, although he obviously disagreed at the time."

Along with Back, Woodward named former England captain Dallaglio and Ireland forward Trevor Brennan as being under Lions consideration.

"All three are going well. I've just got to see what happens during the Six Nations and make the right decisions.

"They won't be easy decisions, especially with players who are not in the Six Nations and therefore not going head-to-head with their rivals. I have to look at it very closely and make the right calls."

The Lions will play three tests against the All Blacks and eight other games on their New Zealand tour in June and July.

- REUTERS