Lions may opt for Munster second row

The Lions could field an all-Munster combination in their second-row for Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Paul O’Connell looks likely to keep his place, despite the 21-3 first Test loss, but he could now be joined by Donncha O’Callaghan if England’s Ben Kay is axed following the Lions’ shambolic lineout effort three days ago.

O’Callaghan did his cause no harm at all by helping the Lions destroy Manawatu 109-6 today, and the fact he played only 40 minutes suggests head coach Clive Woodward is lining him up for a Test start.

“We are happy with the performance,” said O’Callaghan, knowing that Test selection is out of his hands. “We took the game to them – we were ruthless.”

Woodward is due to announce the Test side tomorrow and the number of changes - including some anticipated positional switches – could run into double figures.

Lions coach Ian McGeechan, meanwhile, tonight saluted his players for helping to “lift a dark cloud” following their demolition of Manawatu.

Wing Shane Williams scored five of the Lions’ 17 tries, and although Manawatu were horribly inferior opponents, it was still a job well done.

“It was the biggest statement possible from this team,” said McGeechan. “They played as a team, rather than the individuals they were against Southland last week.

“I think it was very important to have a game like that. I don’t care what the opposition would have been – that team was ready.”

McGeechan conceded the game was “miles away from a Test match,” but added: “Just to see the smiles afterwards on the faces of the non-playing group was a good buzz.

“It was important we showed that we could play rugby, and it lifts a dark cloud. It was a big statement of the attitude of the players – they kept playing rugby.”

Gareth Jenkins, McGeechan’s coaching colleague, paid tribute to flanker Martin Corry, who played his second game in three days, but is battling – it would appear – to retain a Test back-row place.

“Back-row was a dilemma for us,” said Jenkins. “We had taken injuries, so we were limited. But we felt that Martin could stack-up, and his leadership qualities were important to us as well. He performed and he impacted on the game.”

Manawatu captain Nathan Kemp acknowledged his team were outclassed. “Maybe we were a little bit overawed in the first-half, and it sure was a tough day,” conceded Manawatu captain Nathan Kemp. “But the Lions were awesome.”