29/06/2005

Woodward reshuffles side for second test

British and Irish Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward has named seven new players in his starting fifteen for this weekend’s second test against New Zealand in Wellington.

In total, there are 11 changes from the side that were beaten 21-3 in the first Test in Christchurch and after coming under fire for having an English bias in his first Test team, Woodward's team for Saturday now consists of six English, six Welsh and three Irish players.

The changes will see Simon Easterby, Lewis Moody, Ryan Jones, Donncha O'Callaghan and Steve Thompson feature in a new-look pack while Josh Lewsey and Jason Robinson will swap places, with Lewsey at full-back and Robinson on the right wing.

Leicester pair Ben Kay and Neil Back are out of the 22 man squad, while flanker Richard Hill is injured and Shane Byrne and Martin Corry have to content themselves with places on the bench.

Gareth Thomas, who replaces the injured Brian O’Driscoll as Lions captain, said he was confident his team was ready for the second test.

“Last Saturday is over as far as we're concerned,” the Welshman said. “We all sat down, did a bit of soul-searching and got it off our chests.

“Last Saturday we weren't the better team and didn't deserve to win, but that doesn't mean we can't win this Saturday.”

The full British & Irish Lions squad for second test is: Josh Lewsey; Jason Robinson, Gareth Thomas (captain,), Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Jonny Wilkinson, Dwayne Peel; Gethin Jenkins, Steve Thompson, Julian White; Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan; Simon Easterby, Lewis Moody, Ryan Jones.

Replacements: Shane Byrne, Graham Rowntree, Martin Corry, Martyn Williams, Matt Dawson, Stephen Jones, Shane Horgan.

(MB/SP)

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