Henry tips England's share of Lions spots to be down

Wales' Six Nations triumph at the weekend confirmed to All Black coach Graham Henry that the Lions team to tour New Zealand this year will not be dominated by England.

He confessed pangs of emotion as he saw Wales beat England 11-9 at Millennium Stadium.

The Welsh last beat their great rivals when Henry was their coach, 32-31 at Twickenham in 1999.

"It was an incredible day," he remembered.

Sunday's victory inspired Henry to contact some of the Welsh players he was still close with.

"It was just great to hear that huge excitement," he said. "There are a lot of young guys who have developed over the last three to four years together. They've come close on some big occasions recently and haven't pulled off the result.

"It will help them get that self-belief and they'll grow from it."

Henry said Wales outplayed the English, who were clearly still suffering from post-World Cup retirements and injury.

The 37-strong Lions squad that Henry coached in Australia four years ago featured 18 English players, 10 Welsh, six Irish and three Scottish.

But he anticipated the breakdown would be more evenly spread when Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward announces his 44-player squad for this year.

"There will be a significant number of Irish and Welsh players in the side," said Henry, who believed England's standard had dropped considerably since they won the World Cup 15 months ago.

- NZPA