Woodward watches Scots' preparations for Ireland clash

LIONS boss Clive Woodward yesterday spent the day with the Scottish squad as they continue preparing for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations meeting with Ireland at Murrayfield.

Scotland coach Matt Williams said: "We're delighted to welcome Sir Clive to our training session. It's a great opportunity for our guys to put their hand up and add to the claims they make in the international arena for a place in New Zealand with the Lions during the summer.

"They have been working exceptionally hard for the Six Nations and aiming to win for Scotland, so to know that there could be the added honour of a Lions tour at the end of it is yet another incentive.

"However, the main focus at the moment is facing Ireland this weekend."

Meanwhile, Gavin Henson will continue as Wales' back-up goalkicker in the RBS 6 Nations Championship despite his Millennium Stadium heroics against England last weekend.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has decided to retain fly-half Stephen Jones as first-choice marksman for his team's Italian job in Rome on Saturday.

The only change in Wales' match-day 22 to face Italy is an enforced one on the bench, where Newport Gwent Dragons forward Ian Gough replaces injured Neath- Swansea Ospreys' Ryan Jones.

Meanwhile, England coach Andy Robinson has added Henry Paul to his squad, as he prepares for the Six Nations match against France.

The centre joins lock Simon Shaw and props Matt Stevens and Andrew Sheridan as reinforcements.

WALES (v Italy): G Thomas (Toulouse, capt); H Luscombe (Newport Gwent Dragons), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), S Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys); S Jones (Clermont Auvergne), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Davies (Gloucester), A Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), B Cockbain (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), M Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons).