It seems the more the merrier, for coach Woodward

Clive Woodward

If Sir Clive Woodward had his way, the Lions could have used 70 players on their tour.

His concept was a tribute to the New Zealand rugby scene, an alternative take on reasons for the enlarged squad that has perplexed observers in both hemispheres.

The rugby knight was in crusading mood yesterday, claiming that the more players who were immersed in rugby here could only be a boon for the Home Nations.

Even those who played few games should return as better players after mixing with a large Lions contingent and absorbing the much greater intensity of rugby in this country.

Forget the fixation with numbers in the Lions squad, Woodward said, that had been overhyped.

"It is sad, this is the last great tour, and I am trying to maximise what benefits I can for the four countries." A tour of New Zealand was the hardest campaign left in world rugby, and the Six Nations championships after a Lions trip showed how players had stepped up.

"Win, lose or draw, I want every country to take something out of this trip," Woodward said. His priority was to win the test series but he also had an over-riding brief to increase the rugby knowledge in Britain and Ireland.

Woodward was at his convincing best yesterday, offering plausible reasons for his planning and organisation on the Lions' first professional tour here.

It was another chapter in the phoney war which has developed before Saturday's first match.

The coach spoke to the media after a morning training session with the side to play Bay of Plenty, and before he went out again to oversee the work being done by a squad preparing for the second match against Taranaki.

Having enough players on tour allowed the side to prepare for every game and also rehabilitate the injured, he said.

"That is what you have to do if you are going to have any chance of winning down here."

History showed previous sides got knocked about too much in provincial matches and were not up for their test series.

Woodward contended there was no difference between the teams for the Bay of Plenty and Taranaki matches, nor did he have any preconceived ideas - captain Brian O'Driscoll apart - about his first test side.

"I have had great difficulty trying to get this across to everyone," Woodward said, "that just because you are in the Wednesday team does not mean you won't play in the test match.

"It is just a change of mindset.

"Some people don't like the word change, can't understand it."

Saturday's target was all about a victory. The Lions had to be much better than they were against Argentina and they would be because they had more time to develop some cohesion.

There would be an element of tactical secrecy in the provincial matches.

"If we play like New Zealand think we will, we will come second," Woodward said.

Fullback/wing Jason Robinson is likely to link up with the tour party next week because his wife's health has improved in her difficult pregnancy.

The arrival of another utility three-quarter, Gareth Thomas, is not so definite. He is still involved in matches with his French club Toulouse, but Woodward is optimistic he will be released soon.

Injured flanker Simon Taylor is improving and is expected to be available for the NZ Maori match.