Shock selection as Henson misses first test

Gavin Henson

Star Welsh midfielder Gavin Henson has been overlooked for the Lions first test against the All Blacks.

His shock omission opens theories that the tourists will either pair Stephen Jones and Jonny Wilkinson or that experienced midfielder Will Greenwood will be asked to partner Wilkinson.

Greenwood has been injured for most of the year but coach Sir Clive Woodward has been a huge admirer of the solidity, strength and offloading skills he brings to the midfield.

Henson's exclusion was revealed last night when the selectors announced him in their side to play Southland in Invercargill tomorrow.

"I have made clear that the players selected for Southland will not feature in the first test," Woodward said.

Henson starred for Wales in their Six Nations grand slam triumph this season and while he has been picked and played steadily in his two tour matches, he was also substituted in both games.

Henson voiced his disappointment last night. "Obviously everyone wants to play in the tests, so there is bound to be some disappointment at not being selected for the first test on Saturday."

Others thought likely to be on the bench for the test but picked to play Southland are the massive loosehead prop Andy Sheridan and No 8 Michael Owen.

Experienced English prop Graham Rowntree will be involved with the Christchurch test squad and so will No 8 Ryan Jones who played so impressively against Otago.

Jones appears to have won a spot in the test squad by pushing national team-mate Michael Owen into the midweek side to travel south.

There also appears to be a promotion for the light-stepping Welsh wing Shane Williams who is in the group of 23 players not required for Invercargill.

The Lions have won just six tests out of the 35 they have played in their tours of New Zealand and Woodward appears to have won most selection jousts to use players he is very familiar with in an attempt to correct that poor record.

The 36-year-old Neil Back will be the test openside flanker after one game against Wellington.

On the side to play Southland, assistant Ian McGeechan said: "I have been on many tours, as a player and coach, and when we have won, the people to thank have often as not been the people who did not play in tests but who helped create a winning environment for those who did."

* Invercargill, tomorrow 7.10pm

Southland

James Wilson, Mana Harrison, Bryan Milne, Faolua Muliaina, Watisoni Lotawa, Richard Apanui, Jimmy Cowan, Paul Miller, Hale T-Pole, Hua Tamariki, Daniel Quate, Hoani Macdonald, Aarron Dempsey, Jason Rutledge, Clarke Dermody (c)

Lions

Geordan Murphy, Mark Cueto, Ollie Smith, Gavin Henson, Denis Hickie, Ronan O'Gara, Gareth Cooper, Michael Owen (c), Martyn Williams, Lewis Moody, D. O'Callaghan, Simon Shaw, John Hayes, Andy Titterrell, Matt Stevens

Reserves:

Southland: Jayden Murch, David Hall, Rees Logan, Jeff Wright, Adam Clarke, Matt Petre, Pehi Te Whare

Lions: Gordon Bulloch, Andy Sheridan, Simon Easterby, Chris Cusiter, Charlie Hodgson, Tom Shanklin, Gordon D'Arcy