Bigger means better, says Clive

LIONS coach Clive Woodward has given a staunch defence of the way he has run the tour of New Zealand.

Woodward came under fire for naming a large squad even before the Lions were crushed 3-0 by the All Blacks.

But he said yesterday: “I wouldn’t change much but when they come here in 12 years time, I would say take more players and play more games. Every game here is tough and we have run out of players. I would make the Lions bigger and better.”

Woodward selected an original 45-man squad but saw that number inflate to 51 following a series of injuries.

But critics have claimed that the sheer number of players, combined with Woodward’s insistence that everyone should get game time, meant the Test team had little chance to gel.

“The people who say we took too many players are totally wrong, they have to look at what has happened,” said Woodward.

“You just can’t fly in someone and play them, they need to be here at least a week. If you take less players there’s going to be more injuries and you are going to run out of players, which we did even with 45 players.”

Woodward also took 26-backroom staff to New Zealand, the largest in Lions history.

But the former England coach says that decision was also necessary. “The backroom staff have looked after the players very well, that’s why we have had no problems off the pitch.

“It’s been a very professional tour. Most of the people criticising are from the amateur era and the game has changed.”

One of the most controversial appointments was that of Alastair Campbell as the Lions media consultant.

Campbell’s role in the storm that followed Tana Umaga’s tackle on Brian O’Driscoll was heavily criticised by New Zealand coach Graham Henry.

There have also been claims that he tried to cover up Gavin Henson’s shock omission from the first Test squad by setting up a picture of the Welsh centre and Woodward together without the player’s knowledge.

“Alastair has been outstanding, I just think people don’t like change,” said Woodward.

Woodward is going on a fishing holiday on his return from New Zealand. He is then expected to take up a senior management role with Southampton football club. But he is determined to take positive memories from his last involvement with rugby union for the foreseeable future.

“It’s been a great trip and we have made lot of friends, but we all know that you get judged on results in the Test matches so I have to accept that and all the barbs that come with it.

“I have no issues with what has happened over here. You have just got to take a balanced view and keep everything in perspective.”