Welsh players bolster Lions for second Test

Shane Williams' five tries against Manawatu helped his case for a test place. Picture / Fotopress

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward appears to have responded to criticism with the naming of his team for the second test against the All Blacks in Wellington this weekend.

Welsh fans have long complained their players have been over-looked on the tour and All Blacks coach Graham Henry waded in this week too.


He suggested the Lions should include more players from Wales' six-nations-winning side as they were proving themselves to be among the sharpest current performers.

There are six Welsh players in the team Woodward has announced for Saturday night at the Cake Tin, including Gareth Thomas as captain.

There was an uproar in Wales when the team for the first Test was named, which largely ignored the Welsh contingent on the touring party, in favour of English players.

In all, Woodward has made seven changes to the side that was beaten 21-3 in the first test in Christchurch, with numerous positional changes in both the backs and forwards.

Fresh from his five-try scoring blitz against Manawatu yesterday, Wales' Shane Williams starts on the left wing, while compatriot Gavin Henson at second five-eighth, is the other new face in the backline.

Jonny Wilkinson reverts to his familiar position of first five-eighth with captain Gareth Thomas moving into centre.

In the forwards Woodward will field a new loose forward trio of Ryan Jones, Lewis Moody and Simon Easterby.

The Lions' poor lineout from the last week's first test results in Donncha O'Callaghan joining Paul O'Connnell, while hooker Steve Thompson is the only change to the front row.

Team:
Josh Lewsey (England) - fullback
Jason Robinson (England) - wing
Gareth Thomas (captain, Wales) - centre
Gavin Henson (Wales) - second-five eighths
Shane Williams (Wales) - wing
Jonny Wilkinson (England) - first-five eighths
Dwayne Peel (Wales) - halfback
Ryan Jones (Wales) - No 8
Lewis Moody (England) - flanker
Simon Easterby (Ireland) - flanker
Donncha O'Callaghan (Ireland) - lock
Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - lock
Julian White (England) - prop
Steve Thompson (England) - Hooker
Gethin Jenkins (Wales) - prop

Reserves:
Shane Byrne (Ireland), Graham Rowntree ( England), Martin Corry (England), Martyn Williams (Wales), Matt Dawson (England), Stephen Jones (Wales), Shane Horgan (Ireland)

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF