Latest Lions side just having turns

Spot the test player. The announcement yesterday of the Lions side to play Otago tomorrow is very much a case of the others on tour getting a game.

There will be continued assertions from the Lions staff about everyone still being in with a shout for the test series but big noises from Geordan Murphy, Charlie Hodgson, Martyn Williams or Lewis Moody are unlikely to count.

They are candidates for the test bench, although there is a belief that Murphy is involved in a reasonable tussle with Jason Robinson or could even be used at fullback with Josh Lewsey on the wing.

Hodgson was better in his one game than Jonny Wilkinson was in his outing but the test five-eighths spot has had Wilkinson's name written on it for some time.

And even though Moody impresses as a flanker who would do well with the New Zealand game, he is said to be outside the favoured test trio of Martin Corry, Richard Hill and Neil Back.

The test locks are the most competitive arena for the Lions but the mail is the combination will be Paul O'Connell and either Ben Kay or Danny Grewcock, which means tomorrow's pairing shooting for a call-up if things go awry in Christchurch.

The selection of Steve Thompson, Grewcock and Matt Dawson on the bench is either a chance to give them a final substitute cameo before the test or confirmation that they have fallen behind Shane Byrne, Kay and Dwayne Peel.

Replacement tourist Ryan Jones will make his first start but Welsh halfback Gareth Cooper has not been chosen. His only time on the field has been as a substitute against Taranaki.