Johnson tips O’Driscoll for Lions captaincy

LIONS COACH Clive Woodward insists he is under no pressure to name Welsh players in his 44-man squad despite their Grand Slam success.

Woodward is due to announce his line-up to face the All Blacks at Heathrow Airport at lunchtime today, but insisted he was under “no obligation at all” to reflect Wales’ success in his squad.

“Sometimes individuals in winning teams can get elevated,” he said.

“But likewise guys in losing sides don’t get enough credit.”

Speculation has been increasingly mounting over Woodward’s selections for the tour, which includes three Tests against New Zealand.

One of the key selection talking points is over fly-half and whether the injury-plagued Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked Woodward’s then England side to World Cup victory in 2003, will get the nod.

Woodward insisted he had spoken to Wilkinson but refused to be drawn on whether he would be selected. Talking more generally, he said: “There is no policy on the injured guys. I don’t like putting policies in because you guys in the media hang me for it if I deviate.”

Wilkinson is not Woodward’s only injury headache - there are a host of key players on the casualty list.

“I’ve spoken to Wilkinson, [other injured players] Mike Tindall and Phil Vickery and I’ll be making a judgement on them as individuals,” he added.

Woodward also gave hope to retired internationals such as former England captains Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back.

He said: “You need experienced players. The Lions are very similar to a World Cup because it’s a one-off event. It’s not about development.

“International rugby is about winning so the minute you go airy fairy about it is the moment you get beat.

“So you need hardened performers, especially in New Zealand where British teams have not been that successful over the years.”

The Lions have only been successful in New Zealand once before, winning the series in 1971.

Two-time Lions captain Martin Johnson, who led the side to South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001, believes the Lions “have a chance” of a second series win over the All Blacks.

And Johnson tipped Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll as his successor. “Brian is an experienced international, a world-class player and also he’s already a Lion. So if he does get Sir Clive’s nod and gets the captaincy, it would be a good choice.”

Meanwhile, Ieuan Evans has told the Lions they will need a squad of 44 Martin Johnsons to overcome the huge physical and psychological challenges that lie ahead in New Zealand.

Evans toured three times with the Lions and knows exactly the qualities required if the 2005 squad are to be victorious on what he calls “the benchmark tour“.

“In New Zealand rugby is the national sport. It is not only physically challenging, it’s psychologically challenging. The pressure is inescapable, you can’t shy away from it, you can’t show any fear,” he said.

“It’s a massive challenge. Whether you are in Invercargill or in the Bay of Islands, whether you are in the local corner shop or the local cafeteria, it is just in your face.

“It takes a certain type of player to flourish in that environment. You can’t take a backward step out there, it’s impossible. You have to take them on. If you have the belligerence that Martin Johnson brought to bear, that is what we need.”

And that is why Evans is convinced Woodward will include experienced campaigners Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back in his squad.

“The likes of Jason White and Trevor Brennan will also come into the reckoning for selection because you need that hardness. It is such an uncompromising tour,” Evans said.