Henry shrugs off Lions worries

Lions coach Graham Henry last night put a brave face on the fixture chaos that threatens to undermine preparations for this summer’s 10 match Australia tour.

Several of his potential 37 man squad face a punishing May schedule as Six Nations organisers attempt to rearrange postponed Test matches.

The foot and mouth crisis has already seen three internationals — all involving Ireland — called off.

And with English Premiership play offs, plus the Heineken Cup semi finals and final also featuring on a packed end of season agenda, player fatigue could be a major problem.

The Lions are due to leave London on June 1, but there is a possibility that England’s delayed Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin might take place just six days earlier.

Leicester and Munster, two teams boasting several likely Lions, may well contest the Heineken Cup barely a week before that.

Had the season gone according to plan, there would have been a three week break between Europe’s showpiece final and the Lions facing Western Australia in Perth on June 8.

“If games are going to be played in late May, then it won’t be of benefit to the Lions,” said Henry.

“In terms of selection, the Six Nations would have clarified a lot of thinking, although I believe that we can still select pretty confidently without these matches.

“We would like the normal process to continue, but I cannot do anything about the foot and mouth we’ve got here at present.”

Henry plans to announce the Lions squad on April 12, and while that announcement might be put back a fortnight, further delays are unlikely, as players need to agree and sign tour contracts.

In the meantime, Henry’s thoughts are on a Wales side that resumes its disrupted Six Nations campaign this weekend.

After seeing their Millennium Stadium appointment with Ireland postponed last month, Wales get back down to business against France in Paris.

Henry announced his line up yesterday, and Cardiff full back Rhys Williams’ rollercoaster season continues.

Williams has regained the Wales full back jersey from Llanelli’s Stephen Jones, who drops down to the bench.

Williams answered a late SOS to replace the injured Jones in Scotland three weeks ago.

Although Jones was then recalled for the aborted Ireland Test, Williams has now won Henry’s vote as Wales seek a second successive victory at Stade de France following their 34 33 triumph in 1999.

It is the only change from the line up originally selected to face Ireland.