Henry unable to save top players

CANBERRA - Injuries have forced the Lions to include some of their test players in the squad for tonight's match in Canberra against the Brumbies.

Coach Graham Henry had wanted to save his best players for Saturday's second test against Australia, but he was forced to include nine of the top team for the match against the Super 12 champions.

"It's not ideal, we didn't want to do it, but we didn't have a choice," Henry said.

English loose forward Martin Corry was the only player who began last Saturday's first test win over Australia required to start against the Brumbies.

But Lions captain Martin Johnson and Welsh wing Dafydd James were named on the reserves bench, and six of the seven test reserves were also called into the squad.

England's Matt Dawson was named at halfback after being allowed to remain on tour when he apologised to the management for publicly criticising them in a British newspaper column.

"That's been dealt with in-house and that's the end of the matter," Henry said.

Hooker Dorian West was chosen for his first Lions appearance after joining the tour when Phil Greening and Robin McBryde were sent home injured.

The Lions have lost only one of their seven games on tour, against Australia A a fortnight ago, and Henry said it was important to carry the momentum into the second test in Melbourne.

"We're on a bit of a roll and it's very important for the tour that we play well. The Brumbies are the best professional side in the Southern Hemisphere. They're Super 12 champions and I know they've got one or two out, but I think we need to respect them totally, they're a very good rugby side."

Despite being without their test stars, the Brumbies have chosen a formidable side containing some former international players and promising youngsters who have represented Australia A.

The Brumbies, whose coach Eddie Jones masterminded Australia A's win over the Lions, are taking the match very seriously. They went on a two-week tour of New Zealand to prepare and have recalled former test back Pat Howard, who was named player of the season in England after helping Leicester to win the European Cup and domestic championship.

With only the second and third tests to come, tonight's match will be the last chance for most of the Lions players to press their claims for selection against the Wallabies.

Midweek captain David Young said every player on the tour wanted to be in the test team, but some would have to accept they would not make it, rendering tonight's match even more important for them.

"Realistically, it might be the last game we'll ever get to play for the Lions, so we've got to go out and enjoy it," he said. "If we can have a good win it just keeps the ball rolling and just keeps the confidence high, and causes more problems for the Australians."

Lions: Iain Balshaw, Ben Cohen, Mark Taylor, Austin Healy, Scott Gibbs, Ronan O'Gara, Matt Dawson, Martin Corry, Martyn Williams, Scott Murray, Jeremy Davidson, David Wallace, David Young (capt), Dorian West, Darren Morris. Reserves: Jason Leonard, Gordon Bulloch, Martin Johnson, Malcolm O'Kelly, Neil Jenkins, Dafydd James, Tyrone Howe.

Brumbies: Mark Bartholomeusz, Damien McInally, Graeme Bond, Willie Gordon, James Holbeck, Pat Howard, Travis Hall, Jim Williams (captain), Des Tuiavii, Peter Ryan, Justin Harrison, Daniel Vickerman, Matt Weaver, Adam Freier, Angus Scott. Reserves: David Palavi, Damien Drew, David Pusey, Radike Samo, Matt Henjak, Julian Huxley, Cameron Pither.