Time running out fast for Thomas

Simon Lewis, Auckland

The Lions camp is still trying to gain the release of Thomas from his French club, Toulouse.

Thomas is one of two players yet to join up with the squad in New Zealand after fellow Grand Slam winner Stephen Jones arrived in Auckland yesterday following his side, Clermont Auvernge’s qualification for next season’s Heineken Cup.

Jason Robinson has opted to remain in Britain to be with his pregnant wife but the England star is flying out early next week.

Thomas, however, is still wanted by Heineken Cup champions Toulouse as they complete their French Championship campaign.

“Jason Robinson is 100% coming out,” Woodward said.

“I spoke to him yesterday and his wife’s a lot, lot better, he’ll be here on June 7 and he’ll definitely be playing in the Wellington fixture (on June 15).

“We’re only short of Gareth Thomas now and we’re negotiating hard with his club to get him out here as soon as possible. I suppose it shows how bad my negotiating skills are because we’re still talking, Gareth’s still talking to them and Billy Beaumont’s (Lions tour manager) on the case today.

“I was hoping that because Toulouse have just won the European Cup final that, that would be enough for them. But we’ll still try because I still think he has a huge role to play on this trip. Like Stephen Jones and Jason Robinson, they’re world-class players. Obviously Gareth is desperate to get out here but I think the longer it goes on the less chance he’s going to have of actually getting a game or two in to make a case to play in that first Test match,” Woodward said.

The ongoing status of Simon Taylor’s fitness changed again yesterday with Woodward saying the Scottish flanker would not be available for selection until the game with New Zealand Maori on June 11. Taylor has been recovering from a hamstring injury and last weekend coach Andy Robinson said the player would be ready for this Saturday’s opener. That was quickly overruled by media manager Louisa Cheetham, who issued a statement that Taylor was on a 12-day rehabilitation programme due to be completed yesterday.

Woodward, however, said: “He’s coming on well after pulling a hamstring in Wales and I think he’d possibly be available for selection next Wednesday but he’ll definitely play the Maori fixture.”