Henson’s omission makes predicting Test side more hazardous

THE omission of Gavin Henson from the Lions first Test squad makes second guessing Clive Woodward’s starting XV even more hazardous.

There were 23 players not selected for the trip to Invercargill to face Southland tomorrow and Woodward will officially name his starting line-up and bench of seven replacements in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with one player missing out altogether.

Henson was considered an almost certain starter in the Test side alongside Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll until the middle of last week when speculation began that Woodward might try out Jonny Wilkinson at inside centre and play Stephen Jones as fly-half. Wilkinson’s only appearance so far has been in the win against Wellington and he looked far from match ready as result of his inaction.

England’s World Cup-winning hero was switched to inside centre for the final 20 minutes of that match when Jones was thrown on at fly-half. It was Henson who made way and that switch seems to have been an omen for Welsh rugby’s self-styled equivalent of David Beckham.

Now Henson’s perceived place has been taken by Will Greenwood and he and Shane Horgan are the only players with recognisable experience at No12. Horgan can be discounted from this particular equation though, as he has appeared on the wing in most of his Lions matches, only slotting in at centre during a spell as a blood sub against the Maori.

Greenwood showed on Saturday against Otago that he could become a great foil for his captain. He was always assured at Carisbrook and offered the Lions plenty of go forward with his willingness to crash the opposition’s defensive line. He would represent a workmanlike alternative to the potential flair of Henson that has not yet been seen on tour. Yet his inclusion increases the likelihood Wilkinson will wear No 12 at Jade Stadium next Saturday, with Jones at No 10.

An alternative scenario would see Jones on the bench to make way for Wilkinson and Greenwood in midfield. Dwayne Peel should get the nod at scrum-half over Matt Dawson while Shane Byrne deserves a start at hooker in between props Gethin Jenkins and Julian White. Steve Thompson could change that, if Woodward decides to ignore the Northampton man’s terrible throwing at the lineout and opts for his scrummaging power over the Irishman’s strong set-piece throwing.

Paul O’Connell will fill the No 4 shirt at lock and will be joined in the second row by Ben Kay or Danny Grewcock while the inclusion of Martyn Williams at open-side flanker against Southland paves the way for Neil Back to become the oldest Test Lion at the age of 36.

For all his heroics against Otago, Ryan Jones will be considered a bonus bench member as Martin Corry leads an all-English back row with Back and Richard Hill.

Of course, one of the 23 remaining players will be left twiddling his thumbs in a no man’s land between the Test team and the mid-weekers come the team announcement.

With specialist cover on the bench required at hooker, prop, lock, back row scrum-half and fly-half, it is fair to say that player will be from the back three. Lewsey’s place has seemingly been set in stone since the tour opener against Bay Of Plenty, while Gareth Thomas did enough on his debut against Wellington to nail down a wing berth.

Geordan Murphy appeared to be the form horse for the final wing spot but he will start at full-back against Southland. So perm any one from Jason Robinson, Shane Horgan and Shane Williams. Robinson deserves to be the discard with his only contribution to the cause so far being a rusty run-out against Wellington. Add that to the fact he has not scored a competitive try in 15 matches and it is a pretty conclusive argument to keep him away from the Test squad. Except for the fact that Robinson is a Woodward protégé and is, therefore, worth at least a place on the bench.

A straight head-to-head between Williams and Horgan could give the nod to the Irishman for his ability to cover at centre. Many believe Williams is also too small for a Test winger although he scored possibly the try of the tour in the second half of against Otago and he does bring that ‘x factor’ to any side chasing a game.

This, of course, is logic. A Clive Woodward Test side could look very different.