Wilkinson and Robinson in Lions side

The Lions have announced a strong side to face Wellington on Wednesday night, including some star names.

Jonny Wilkinson will play for the first time on the tour, as will Jason Robinson who only arrived in New Zealand last week.

The naming of a strong team comes with head coach Clive Woodward under increased pressure following last night's 19-13 loss to the New Zealand Maori in Hamilton.

England's Martin Corry is vice-captain and squad captain Brian O'Driscoll, of Ireland, also plays.


Josh Lewsey and another Englishman, tighthead Julian White, both played in the Maori game and return on Wednesday.


It is the first time on tour that Woodward has deliberately selected players to start in consecutive games, suggesting they are in his test thinking.


Woodward has also stayed true to his word by naming the five squad members who had yet to play in any of the first three games.


Four of them -- Wilkinson, Robinson and Gareth Thomas, and flanker Neil Back -- are leading test prospects. The fifth is Irish flanker Simon Easterby, a tour replacement for the injured Lawrence Dallaglio.


Team:
Josh Lewsey (London Wasps, England)
Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks, England)
Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster, Ireland) captain
Gavin Henson (Ospreys, Wales)
Gareth Thomas (Toulouse, Wales)
Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons, England)
Dwyane Peel (Llanelli, Wales)
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, Wales)
Shayne Byrne (Leinster, Ireland)
Julian White (Leicester Tigers, England)
Danny Grewcock (Bath, England)
Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers, England)
Simon Easterby (Llanelli, Ireland)
Neil Back (Leicester Tigers)
Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers, England) vice-captain

Reserves:
Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow, Scotland)
Matt Stevens (Bath, England)
Paul O'Connell (Munster, Ireland)
Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers, England)
Chris Cusiter (Borders, Scotland)
Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne, Wales)
Shane Horgan (Leinster, Ireland)

* Lions v Wellington, Wednesday June 15, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 7.10pm


- HERALD ONLINE STAFF, NZPA