Wilkinson left out of Lions squad 

Jonny Wilkinson

LONDON - England first five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson, who has not played a test since drop-kicking the winning goal in the 2003 World Cup final, was omitted late last night from the Lions side to tour New Zealand.

However, manager Clive Woodward said Wilkinson could still be selected if he confirmed his fitness over the next few weeks.

He added that injured England centre Mike Tindall and prop Phil Vickery could also be added to the squad.

"There are three notable omissions - Mike Tindall, Phil Vickery and Jonny Wilkinson," Woodward said.

"At their best and fully fit, all three would have made the squad. Their absence from the list does not mean they will miss the tour. If they can prove their fitness, they will come on the tour."

Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll will captain the team for the three-test tour starting in June.

He is the first Irishman to lead the Lions since Ciaran Fitzgerald skippered the 1983 side in New Zealand.

"I am confident he can lead the Lions to victory. It will be as tough a challenge he or I have ever faced, but I believe it can be done," Woodward said.

England loose forwards Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back, who have retired from international rugby since playing in the World Cup final, were named in the 44-man squad.

Back and Dallaglio remain in top form for their clubs, Leicester and Wasps respectively.

In New Zealand they will be reunited with Richard Hill, their backrow partner in the World Cup team, after Woodward included the Saracens player who has been out of action for six months with a serious knee injury.

There are 20 English players in the squad, 11 Irish, 10 from the Welsh Six Nations championship Grand Slam-winning team, and just three Scots.

Woodward said he had spoken at length to Wilkinson about the decision to leave him out.

"It would be wrong for me to pick a player who has not played 80 minutes of rugby for a long, long time."

The Lions will play a warm-up game against Argentina in Cardiff on May 23 and set off for New Zealand two days later where they will play eight tour games as well as the three tests.

They have officially toured New Zealand eight times, beginning in 1930, but their 2-1 success, with one draw, in 1971 is the only series victory there.

As well as the unprecedented 44 players, Woodward will take a back-up staff of 26.

Woodward, the mastermind behind England's World Cup success, stressed that national loyalties could no longer play a part in the squad's thinking.

"From today in my mind, and I hope in the minds of the 44 named, the players cease to be English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish.

"They are Lions. The challenge will be as hard as anything as we have ever faced, but by bringing the power of four nations together we can win.

"We have tremendous respect for New Zealand, they have great coaches, great players and great support, and I do not underestimate the challenge.

"That is why I have gathered a team of world-class coaches and have assembled the squad I have."

O'Driscoll, a Lion four years ago on the 2-1 losing tour of Australia, said: "It is a tremendous honour to be asked to be Lions captain and lead a squad of so many great players.

"When you look at the list of past Lions captains, including the likes of Martin Johnson and Willie John McBride, it is humbling."

The Lions' first tour match is against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on June 4.

Their first test is in Christchurch on June 25.

* The British and Irish Lions rugby squad named last night to tour New Zealand in June and July:-

Backs:

Ian Balshaw (England), Geordan Murphy (Ireland), Jason Robinson (England), Gareth Thomas (Wales), Shane Williams (Wales), Josh Lewsey (England), Shane Horgan (Ireland), Denis Hickie (Ireland), Tom Shanklin (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland, captain), Gavin Henson (Wales), Ollie Smith (England), Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland), Will Greenwood (England), Stephen Jones (Wales), Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Charlie Hodgson (England), Matt Dawson (England), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Gareth Cooper (Wales), Chris Cusiter (Scotland).

Forwards:

Graeme Rowntree (England), Andy Sheridan (England), Matt Stevens (England), Garin Jenkins (Wales), Julian White (England), John Hayes (Ireland), Gordon Bulloch (Scotland), Steve Thompson (England), Andy Titterrell (England), Shane Byrne (Ireland), Danny Grewcock (England), Ben Kay (England), Malcolm O'Kelly (Ireland), Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Michael Owen (Wales), Richard Hill (England), Neil Back (England), Martyn Williams (Wales), Lewis Moody (England), Simon Taylor (Scotland), Martin Corry (England), Lawrence Dallaglio (England).

- REUTERS