O'Driscoll desperate for kick-off

British and Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll will make his first start of the 2005 tour against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua next Saturday.

O’Driscoll was named in a strong side just hours before he accepted a traditional Maori challenge at the Lions’ official welcome to New Zealand.

The team, announced by coach Sir Clive Woodward, includes a number of key combinations with Ireland’s Paul O’Connell locking an impressive Lions scrum with Ben Kay.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Martyn Williams and Richard Hill form an experienced back row while O’Driscoll will be joined in the centres by Wales’ Gavin Henson.

The Lions will want to bury memories of their disjointed 25-25 draw against Argentina in Cardiff and get their tour off to a winning start.

O’Driscoll said: “After all the waiting and the preparation it will be great to get out there and play the first match in New Zealand.

“This is a strong side and we can’t wait to get out in front of the New Zealand public and show what we can do on the rugby field.”

Woodward rested O’Driscoll for the Argentina game because he felt it was important the tour captain leads the side out for the first tour match in New Zealand.

By naming a host of senior players plus Test hopefuls Josh Lewsey, Dwayne Peel and Gethin Jenkins, Woodward has sent out a strong message of intent.

“There is a huge sense of excitement and anticipation now our first game in New Zealand is so close,” said Woodward.

“Because it’s the first game, Bay of Plenty will want to give us a very tough match and we have a selected a very strong side who will give us a good start to the tour.”

O’Connell, the Munster lock and firm favourite for the Test side, will be making his Lions debut on Saturday and is thrilled to get his chance.

“It will be a tremendous honour for me to have the opportunity to pull on a Lions jersey for the first time,” he said.

“Looking at the team sheet, it is really exciting to play alongside players of such quality, names like Lawrence Dallaglio and Martyn Williams who I have admired for such a long time.

“It will be a great experience and an important test for both me and for the team.”

The full Lions party travelled from Auckland to Rotorua for the powhiri – a ceremony which involved a band of fierce-looking, spear-wielding tattooed Maori warriors from the Te Arawa Iwi (tribe) laying down the weru (challenge).

The Lions were greeted at the airport by a thousand flag-waving schoolchildren before being bussed down to the Ohinemutu Marae.

There, the Lions stood as the local tribe performed a dramatic, traditional welcome, backed by song from the local community before Beaumont and then O’Driscoll stepped forward to accept the challenge.

O’Driscoll then addressed the local dignitaries and officials from the New Zealand Rugby Union.

He vowed the Lions had come to play hard and win, but stressed his desire to build friendship and strengthen ties during their seven weeks in New Zealand.

“We are professional rugby players and it goes without saying we are here to win. We want to play rugby, we want to win matches and most of all we want to win the Test series against New Zealand,” said O’Driscoll.

“But this tour is not just about rugby. We intend to get out and meet people, see some of your country and learn of your history, geography and culture.

“The ties between New Zealand and Britain, New Zealand and Ireland are strong. Sport and, in particular, rugby have played a huge part in building those ties.

“I believe this tour is going to ensure the ties grow stronger and stronger. Thank you very much again for your welcome.”

The Lions offered a song in return with Bath prop Matt Stevens, who was once invited to sing with the three Tenors only for a rugby tour to get in the way, leading the squad in a rendition of ’Bread of Heaven’.

The official Lions series trophy was then unveiled before the formalities concluded with the hongi, a Maori welcome expressed by touching noses.

British and Irish Lions team to play Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on June 4 is:

J Lewsey (Wasps and England); M Cueto (Sale and England), B O’Driscoll (Leinster and Ireland, capt), G Henson (Neath Swansea Ospreys and Wales), T Shanklin (Cardiff and Wales); R O’Gara (Munster and Ireland), D Peel (Llanelli and Wales); G Jenkins (Cardiff and Wales), G Bulloch (Glasgow and Scotland), M Stevens (Bath and England), P O’Connell (Munster and Ireland), B Kay (Leicester and England), R Hill (Saracens and England), M Williams (Cardiff and Wales), L Dallaglio (Wasps and England).

Replacements: S Thompson (Northampton and England), A Sheridan (Sale and England), M O’Kelly (Leinster and Ireland), M Corry (Leicester and England), M Dawson (Wasps and England), C Hodgson (Sale and England), G D’Arcy (Leinster and Ireland).