Talk-it-up Woodward needs to get some sun

Listen to Sir Clive Woodward on the Lions' first test prospects and you'd be tempted to suggest he needs a holiday, preferably somewhere sunny.

Despite being outplayed by New Zealand Maori and clearly deficient in several aspects of the game, Woodward insisted the Lions are on track to win the first test.

He didn't use those exact words yesterday, but there was a clear inference.

"I am absolutely convinced more than ever we've got a team who can do something special in the first test," he said. "We can arrive a little more match-hardened than New Zealand, who have had a hitout against Fiji which was no more than a training run.

"I'm happy with what we are doing and I've started to form a test team in my mind."

One who won't be in his mind any longer is Scottish loose forward Simon Taylor, whose luck has run out for a second straight Lions tour.

He was invalided out of the Australian trip after playing a few minutes in the opening game and yesterday was ruled out with a recurrence of the hamstring strain which plagued him before leaving Britain.

Rangy Welshman Ryan Jones, already in New Zealand as cover, takes his place.

Woodward's team to play Wellington on Wednesday night looks like a test shakedown in many respects, even though the boss insists he won't be having a complete shadow workout for his test fancies against either Wellington or Otago on Saturday.

Of the backline, there are two question marks - second five-eighth, where Gavin Henson gets a second chance alongside captain Brian O'Driscoll, and halfback, with quick and perky Dwayne Peel getting another crack.

Peel is a lively, energetic No 9 and almost certain to battle for the test job with hardheaded veteran Matt Dawson, who had a decent game against the Maori.

If Henson fails to deliver at the Cake Tin, look for versatile Welshman Tom Shanklin to get a chance against Otago next Saturday.

Late arrivals Gareth Thomas and Jason Robinson are on the wings and, with Josh Lewsey at fullback, that might well be the first test back three.

Irish replacement Simon Easterby gets his chance at blindside flanker, and fellow countryman Shane Byrne hooks between two strong test hopes, Julian White and Gethin Jenkins.

Steve Thompson is likely the preferred hooker, far bulkier than the lightweight Byrne, but his lineout throwing is flaky, so Byrne becomes a test chance.

But all the attention will focus on two others having their first outing in New Zealand, Jonny Wilkinson and Neil Back.

Wilkinson, providing he comes through in good shape, is all but inked in at No 10 for the tests. He wins matches, as he's proved time and again, and that's the bottom line.

He knows Dawson's game well, but a good night out with Peel won't hurt the Welshman's chances.

As for Back, it's stating the bleedin' obvious that the Lions have big problems at the breakdown. The Lions' management are hoping Back, 36, can answer their prayers.

It is a big call. He is returning from a four-week ban and although he has the nous, the issue is whether he still has the legs for the test battle.

He will be up against Ben Herring on Wednesday night, and Herring is a hardy, resilient, lively player.

"We are very nearly at the sharp end of the tour," Woodward said. "This is a big game for a lot of players."

But Woodward has moved on from Saturday night's loss to the Maori. He says two games remain to finalise the test combinations. That, rather than the events in Hamilton, are his focus.

"We'll be judged on how we play the test matches, not what we did against the Maori."

The Wellington team will be named today. The Lions will train in Christchurch today - no, that is not a misprint - before heading to the capital tonight.