Edwards says Williams v Wallace battle too close to call

LIONS legend Gareth Edwards has predicted “a very close call” between flankers Martyn Williams and David Wallace to face South Africa in Saturday’s first Test.

Head coach Ian McGeechan will name his line-up for the ABSA Stadium showdown today.

And while the side looks to be largely cut and dried, Wales veteran Williams could be preferred to Munster openside Wallace.

“It will be a very close call between them,” claimed former Wales and Lions scrum-half Edwards.

“There could even be a case made for them both playing.”

Were McGeechan to go down that route, then either prospective blindside Tom Croft or number eight Jamie Heaslip – positions Wallace can both play in – might miss out.

Elsewhere though, Edwards – a victorious 1974 Lion in South Africa – believes McGeechan is unlikely to contemplate any surprise selection calls.

“I expect Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts to be the centres – they’ve been terrific together on this tour – and I expect to see Gethin Jenkins at loosehead prop, with Ugo Monye on the left wing.”

Edwards added: “The Lions will be so proud to be unbeaten on this tour, but they will also be aware they haven’t reached their best.

“There have been a couple of games when it could have gone either way, but the reality now is they know they have to raise the bar.

“I remember the 1968 South Africa tour. We only lost one provincial match to a very good Transvaal team, but when it came to the Tests, we lost 3-0, with onedraw.

“It’s only the Tests that matter – they are what make that mark in the sand.

“A lot is said about the Springboks perhaps being undercooked (they haven’t played a Test since November). By contrast, the Lions have been building up intensity.

“At some point, someone will take control of a moment in the game that makes a difference – someone will have that effect on the game.”

Edwards, meanwhile, has paid tribute to current Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips, whose long recovery road from a serious knee injury looks set to culminate in him winning a Test place.

“People forget he had a cruciate knee ligament injury 12 months ago that was career-threatening,” said Edwards.

“You cannot underestimate how hard he has worked to get himself back in the Wales team, and now here with the Lions.”