O’Driscoll can stake Lions captaincy claim

IRELAND centre Brian O’Driscoll has been given an opportunity to prove his ability to captain the British and Irish Lions after being named skipper of Clive Woodward’s side in next month’s Tsunami relief match in Twickenham.

Woodward, coach of the northern hemisphere side, selected O’Driscoll ahead of Paul O’Connell, the lock who led his country in O’Driscoll’s absence against Scotland on Saturday and is another being touted as a possible Lions captain.

“We have a fantastic group of players that are being invited to play and I am looking forward to choosing the starting XV for the game on March 5 and working with such an outstanding player as Brian in his role as captain,” said Woodward, who will have the chance to gauge the form of a number of Lions hopefuls ahead of the IRB Rugby Aid charity match on March 5.

Ireland’s Malcolm O’Kelly and David Humphreys were confirmed in the squad, while Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter, number eight Simon Taylor and hooker Gordon Bulloch are also named.

England’s Premiership clubs will release eight players for the game and amongst those invited are Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Robinson and Steve Thompson, while Wales centre Gavin Henson has been asked to play along with France captain Fabien Pelous and Italy’s Marco Bortolami.

“I think all of the rugby community recognises the importance of getting behind this game - not only the players and coaches but administrators, clubs and unions, all of whom are looking to support the nations affected by the tragedy,” said Woodward.

“It is important to get a top quality team to sell out this fixture and well done to Rod Macqueen on those players that he has named to participate in what will be a wonderful occasion for a great cause.”

Woodward has also strengthened his own coaching team for the game with the appointment of Gareth Jenkins, a member of the Lions coaching staff, and Brian Ashton, the England ‘A’ coach and RFU national academies manager.

McQueen last night finalised the southern hemisphere XV and it will be skippered by scrm-half George Gregan, the most capped player in the team.

John Smit and Tana Umaga, the captains of South Africa and New Zealand respectively, have been appointed vice-captains.

Macqueen said: “We are fortunate to have many leaders in the team and the players are very enthusiastic about the match.

“We have assembled the best possible team to represent the South in what is sure to be an historic and entertaining match.”

The side provisionally includes explosive Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca, who expressed a desire to play but is awaiting clearance from his club Agen before he can be confirmed.

Jerome Kaino, the Auckland Blues number eight who Henry expects will be pushing for a place in the All Blacks side come the Lions series, will start in a back row featuring Australian open-side Phil Waugh and Schalk Burger, the IRB world player of the year.

But Latham’s participation is in doubt after he suffered an ankle injury during Queensland’s pre-season friendly against the Crusaders.

Southern Hemisphere: C Latham (Australia); R Caucaunibuca (Fiji), J Fourie (South Africa), T Umaga (New Zealand), S Bobo (Fiji); A Mehrtens (New Zealand), G Gregan (Australia, captain); C Hoeft (New Zealand), J Smit (South Africa), O Hasan (Argentina), V Matfield (South Africa), I Rawaqa (Fiji), S Burger (South Africa), P Waugh (Australia), J Kaino (New Zealand).