Lions: Henry backs Lions to test Aussies

Graham Henry has backed his Lions to produce ‘‘a marvellous performance’’ in Saturday’s first Test against world champions Australia.

The Lions coach today announced a team containing 11 Test debutants, including former Great Britain rugby league star Jason Robinson, Irish centre pairing Brian O’Driscoll and Rob Henderson, together with England back-row man Martin Corry.

But the injury jinx that has plagued Henry’s squad since arrival Down Under more than three weeks ago, still won’t go away.

England flanker Neil Back was not considered for the Brisbane showdown after suffering a rib injury during last weekend’s victory over New South Wales.

While Back should be fit for second Test contention, he can only play a waiting game as his Leicester team-mate Corry packs down alongside Richard Hill and Scott Quinnell in the back-row.

As expected, Matt Perry has beaten his Bath and England team-mate Iain Balshaw to the number 15 jersey.

Balshaw, a driving force behind England’s record-breaking Six Nations campaign last season, is suffering from a worrying loss of form, but features among the Lions’ substitutes.

The Test side comprises eight Englishmen - five in the pack - three Welsh players, three from Ireland and a solitary Scot, loosehead prop Tom Smith.

Apart from Back, neither centre Will Greenwood (ankle) nor hooker Robin McBryde (thigh) were available for selection.

‘‘I think that this team will produce a marvellous performance on Saturday,’’ Henry said.

‘‘The attitude and commitment is total, and I am sure the players will produce a performance they can be proud of. We’ve picked the side based on performances during the tour.’’

Robinson completes an astonishing quantum leap from rugby union rookie to Lions Test player inside seven months, and Henry has no doubt about his ability.

‘‘Jason has been superb. He is a creator, someone who looks for work and pops up in unusual positions,’’ added the coach.

‘‘He keeps defences guessing, he is a workhorse and not someone who is straddled by the history or tradition of rugby union. He has been a revelation on tour.’’

Henry also paid tribute to Corry, who only arrived on tour as a replacement for injured Scottish international Simon Taylor.

But in such a short space of time, he pushed himself into Test contention, impressing the coach through his work-rate and attitude.

‘‘I have been delighted with Martin’s contribution. He is a very mature player, very good in the air at kick-offs and lineouts, and his contribution has been A-plus since he arrived.’’

The only players previously capped at Lions Test level are Smith, Hill, skipper Martin Johnson and hooker Keith Wood, with three more Matt Dawson, Austin Healey and Jason Leonard on the bench.

Johnson, Smith, Healey, Dawson and Hill all featured during the Lions’ last Test match outing against South Africa in Johannesburg four years ago.

Perry, England’s most capped full-back with 36 Test appearances, finds him called in from international rugby’s wilderness after playing second fiddle to Balshaw for most of last term.

‘‘Matt has played more games at full-back for England than any other player in the history of the game,’’ Henry added. ‘‘Hopefully, Iain will play some great rugby before this tour is over.’’

As for the loosehead prop battle, which saw Smith resist challenges from both Leonard and Welshman Darren Morris, Henry revealed that Smith always led the race.

‘‘He has been the front-runner,’’ Henry said. ‘‘He has got in because there are other facets to his game apart from the scrum, especially his ability around the field and at lineout time.’’