Wood supports Foley for Lions inclusion

FORMER Ireland skipper Keith Wood has backed former team-mate Anthony Foley to be included in the Lions squad to tour New Zealand.

“He is very underrated,” said Wood. “In a squad of 44 I would like him to go because he does not make mistakes which is very important on a tour. He knows instinctively what to say at the right time. He might only say two lines but what he says is very apt.”

And Wood also believes that Clive Woodward should name Lawrence Dallaglio in his 44 man selection which he announces on April 11.

The Wasps back-row forward, who retired from international rugby with England last summer, is keen to be part of manager Woodward’s plans. And although Woodward had stated that he would base his squad on Six Nations form, Wood believes he should go.

“Lawrence has been consistently the best number eight around,” said Wood. “On a long tour you can depend on him and you know what he will bring. If you don’t have leaders in certain positions and you feel you need them then you might look at a guy who is not playing international rugby.”

Wood was speaking at the launch of the official Lions tour suits and at the same event, Dallaglio reiterated his desire to make the 44-man squad which is named on April 11.

Dallaglio was at the event in his capacity as a stakeholder in the Eden Park clothing company as he is one of the franchisees of the Richmond branch. “Having retired some time ago from international rugby, I recognised that my chances of going on the Lions tour would be seriously diminished,” he said.

“I am here and available and everyone knows that but these decisions are not up to me. I don’t want the Lions selection to be all about me, there are a lot of players who are up for consideration that have played international rugby.”

Lions squad selection has been confused somewhat by this year’s unpredictable Six Nations which saw Wales claim a surprise Grand Slam.

“The Six Nations threw up more questions than answers,” Wood added.

“It was a strange tournament, the tension and excitement was the best it has been for years but some of the quality was not great. Two months ago the Irish team were flying, having swept all before them in the autumn internationals, but they didn’t do that in the Six Nations.

“What is relevant is how players are at the end of the season, not now. I have picked five Lions teams already and each of them are different.”

Meanwhile, Lions legend Ieuan Evans yesterday called for an end to the hysteria surrounding Jonny Wilkinson’s fitness.

Wilkinson, 25, has not played international rugby since the 2003 World Cup final after being struck down by successive injuries. He is recovering from damaged knee ligaments but Evans yesterday insisted the fly-half’s availability will neither make nor break the Lions’ chances against the All Blacks this summer.

“I don’t think we need to get too hung up on Wilkinson,” said Evans.

“The success of this tour won’t purely hinge on whether Jonny is available or not. There are too many quality players out there for that to be the case. If he is fit there is no reason not to take him. But in making the selection you can always say if you can’t prove your fitness, then that will have a bearing on whether you can go.”