Injury forces O'Kelly out of tour opener

Malcolm O’Kelly has been forced to withdraw from the Lions’ opening tour match against Bay of Plenty after suffering a recurrence of his abdominal strain.

The Irish lock, who sustained the original injury while training in Cardiff and missed the 25-25 draw with Argentina, had returned to full training only to suffer similar symptoms during today’s session.

O’Kelly, who will be closely monitored by the Lions staff over the next 24 hours, was rested as a “precautionary measure” and his place on the bench for Saturday’s game in Rotorua has been taken by fellow Irishman Donncha O’Callaghan.

Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward said: “It is obviously disappointing for Malcolm but this is why we have the strength in depth of the touring squad which enables us to provide cover to ensure that we get the players back to full fitness needed to tackle the tough games ahead.”

Woodward has had to constantly defend his decision to break with tradition and name such a large playing squad. Following the arrival of Stephen Jones last night, 43 of the 45 players are now in Auckland with only Gareth Thomas and Jason Robinson to come.

“It needs a change of mindset and some people don’t like change,” said Woodward.

“We came here with 42 players. The last Lions trip ended up with 44 players. We just brought them all with us and if they are drafted in we don’t have to teach them new calls on the night before a Test match.”

Nevertheless, Thomas’ chances of featuring for the Lions in the first Test against the All Blacks on June 25 are receding by the day and it is becoming a cause of increasing frustration for Woodward.

Thomas, the Wales captain, was a leading contender for a Lions Test place when the squad was initially announced but his club side Toulouse are still heavily involved in the French championship and will not release him.

Should the newly-crowned European champions beat Stade Francais this weekend, then Thomas is unlikely to be released to travel until after the French championship final on June 11.

That would render him unavailable for Lions selection until the sixth match, halfway through the 2005 campaign, against Otago on June 18 just a week before the first Test.

“The reality is that if he is not with us sooner rather than later then he won’t be able to compete for a place in the first Test,” said Woodward.

“We are still negotiating hard with the club to get him out as soon as possible.”

Woodward also confirmed Robinson, who stayed home to be with his pregnant wife, will arrive in New Zealand on June 7, in time to play against Wellington three days later.

“Jason Robinson is arriving here on June 7, 100%. I spoke to him yesterday. His wife is a lot better. He can play in the Wellington fixture,” said Woodward.

Scottish loose-forward Simon Taylor is likely to make his first start of the tour against a Test-strength New Zealand Maori side that is set to feature the likes of Carlos Spencer.

Taylor injured his hamstring as the squad prepared for their send-off game against Argentina and after a series of contradictory messages came from the Lions camp, Woodward confirmed today he might feature against Taranaki on Wednesday but is certain to get a run next weekend.