Former Wales wing Shane Williams has been drafted into the British and Irish Lions team for Tuesday’s final warm-up game against the Brumbies in Canberra.
bbc
Wales’ record try-scorer, the 36-year-old is currently playing in Japan after quitting international rugby in 2011.
The shock call-up sees him feature in a team that also includes England backs Christian Wade and Brad Barritt, who have been called up as injury cover and will arrive in Australia on Monday.
Ireland’s Rory Best will be captain.
Williams, a Test Lion in 2005 and 2009, was due to head to Australia to work as a radio pundit for the three-Test series, which starts on Saturday in Brisbane.
But such is the extent of the injuries among the backline and the need to rest other players that he will join the squad for 48 hours – arriving on Monday, playing on Tuesday and leaving on Wednesday.
Williams, currently in a second season with Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan, scored 58 tries in 87 Tests for Wales. His last Test appearance was against Australia 19 months ago, when he scored in the last play of the game.
“He is in pretty good nick,” said Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
“He has been boxing as well, but hopefully that is not going to be needed on Tuesday. We know he is fit and in training and I am sure he will come in and do the jersey proud.”
England trio Wade, Barritt and Billy Twelvetrees, who has already arrived in Australia, will all make their Lions debuts on Tuesday.
Wade was withdrawn from England’s second Test team in Argentina so he could travel to Australia in time to play on Tuesday, while Saracens centre Barritt – who was rested from the England tour – will arrive from a holiday in the United States.
With Jamie Roberts’ participation in the first Test – and perhaps the series – in some doubt pending a scan on a potential torn hamstring, Manu Tuilagi still suffering with a sore shoulder and Brian O’Driscoll needing to be carefully managed, the Lions are short of centre options.
Jonathan Davies, the fourth centre in the original squad, who starred in Saturday’s 47-17 win over New South Wales Waratahs, has played more minutes – 265 – on tour than any other player.
The Lions may now need him to start next Saturday’s first Test, so he is rested for Tuesday’s match, while Simon Zebo – a potential contender should George North’s hamstring problem not heal in time – is left on the bench.
Most of the replacements on Tuesday are likely to be involved in the first Test squad, but those selected to start will know their chances of starting against the Wallabies in Brisbane are remote.
Rob Kearney will make his first start of the tour at full-back, while Scotland’s Stuart Hogg gets a second outing at fly-half.
Lock Richie Gray has recovered from a shoulder injury to start in the second row alongside Ian Evans. Toby Faletau starts at number eight, suggesting Jamie Heaslip has booked the Test starting spot.
Lions team: Rob Kearney, Christian Wade, Brad Barritt, Billy Twelvetrees, Shane Williams, Stuart Hogg, Ben Youngs; Ryan Grant, Rory Best (capt), Matt Stevens, Ian Evans, Richie Gray, Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Simon Zebo
As much as I rated Williams as a player I completely disagree with the decision to include him in the Lions squad as he has retired from international rugby and last played for his country more than a year and a half ago. For the record I applauded the decision not to include Jonny Wilkinson for the same reason.
Think that only players who are playing for Ireland and the British countries should be picked NOT players who have retired from international rugby. I can understand players wanting to may a buck at the end of their career and still play for big money but for me if they are not going to play for their country any more they should not be chosen for the Lions.
Lets try be fair to Mr Gatland and look at some of the other wing options possibly available to call up:
Craig Gilroy – Young (22 years old) Ulster and Ireland winger who is a strong player and although only has a handful of International caps he has already played more than 60 games for Ulster. Didn’t play in PRO12 final so may be injured.
Chris Ashton – England International, maybe not the most popular player due what seems like a bit of arrogance and those annoying swan dives when he scores tries, but he is a fierce competitor who when on form is devastating with ball in hand. Played for Saracens in their Aviva semifinal against Northampton about a month ago, can’t recall hearing that he is injured but didn’t see him playing for England against Argentina last night.
Andrew Trimble – Ulster winger who played in this years Pro12 final. Earned his 50th cap for Ireland against Canada last night (Canada time) and scored a try. Another strong wing option for the Lions.
Tim Visser – Big Scotland wing who by his high standards has not had the best second half to his season not sure how much the problems at Edinburgh affected him. BUT he is a proven try scorer – the top try scorer in Pro12 in each of his first 3 seasons – 37 tries in that time (this excludes the 2012/2013 season) and was also in the Pro12 Dream Team of those seasons. Not sure how up to date the figures are but in first 12 games against Internationals (11 for Scotland, 1 for Barbarians) he has scored 7 tries, in his first start on home ground for Scotland he scored 2 tries against the mighty All Blacks. Some question marks have appeared this year in some circles about his defensive abilities but in a video package I saw around this time last year seen him putting in some really big tackles.
Fergus Mc Fadden – Leinster and Ireland (at least 18 caps) winger. At 26 and with more than 80 caps an experienced option. Scored a hat trick of tries against Canada last night so he is fit and in fine form.
Marland Yarde – New young (21 year old) England winger who has grabbed his chance given to him on England tour of Argentina scoring two tries yesterday in his debut for the senior team. First time I’ve seen him play and he looks a very good prospect, didn’t see his defence being tested much but his ability to run on to the ball and his strength and running with ball in hand quite impressive.
Mike Brown – Another impressive back for England last night albeit from fullback, he impressed during this years 6 Nations too on the wing. A bit of a late bloomer it seems as he is already 27 and has played 172 games for Harlequins where he started in 2001 so a wealth of experience there, has at least 11 England caps.
Excellent summation, thank Bully.
3 @ Just For Kicks:
Thanks JFK hope you’re enjoying Fathers Day, did you get breakfast in bed from your little ones?
My view that you shouldn’t be picked for Lions unless you are currently available for your country may be a bit emotional and subjective, so thats why I thought to take the subjectivety out of it lets go and see if there really is no one else that Gatland could have chosen so I came up with that at least that 7 there (barring injury)that are current internationals so know I’m even more convinced that he has made the wrong decision. Having said that watch a few more players breakdown (hope not) and then Williams get elevated into test team and score the decisive try to clinch the series 🙂
Ahh this puts a bit more light on Williams selection. He is in Australia anyway at the moment as part of a UK radio commentary team, according to Gatland it is on condition that he is only playing the one game…These were Williams words about being selected: ““It was completely out of the blue. I am more shocked than you are…but if me contributing on Tuesday is going to help the Lions squad be successful in the three Tests then that is what I am here to do. Rob Howley phoned me. It is still sinking in. I am over the moon, and what I will do on the field is give my 100% effort and commitment and do whatever it takes to help the team out. “I have been playing in Japan over the last 12 months. Fitness is not going to be an issue. If I had any doubt whatsoever that I wasn’t capable or good enough then I would have said no, because there is no way I will let the Lions down. “I get into Sydney on Monday morning, and I am training at about half past 10.”
Gatland said: We just said we needed Shane for one game. We spoke to Shane and just said the proviso is he comes in Monday, trains, plays on Tuesday and he leaves the squad on Wednesday. He was perfectly happy with that…”
That makes a bit more sense BUT my question is what if Williams plays a super game and there are still injury concerns in the backs?
@ Bullscot:
I am somewhat puzzled by Barritt’s inclusion, where did he come from all of a sudden? Was he in Argentina with the England squad, and if not, why not?
@ Bullscot:
Sorry, I found it in the article above, he was on vacation in the USA, rested for the Argentine tour, my bad!
7 @ Pietman:
Hi Pietman, that’s ok, interesting to note that Gatland has gone for the English centre combination of Barritt and Twelvetrees, with so little time that he has had to work with the incoming players I guess he has banked on the fact that it may be better to play these two together as they may have some understanding of each others game having played together for England, rather than pair one of them up with any centres, while he is also desparate to rest and shield his first choice pairing with the test on Saturday. Wonder how fit Barritt will be if he has been called up from his holiday, will he last the whole game? Am guessing we may see either Hogg shift into the centre in Barritt’s place at some point with Farrell coming on off the bench at flyhalf, or maybe even just a straight swop at centre between Barritt and Farrell, although more likely the former as I think Farrell has played inside centre before rather than the outside centre berth that Barritt is filling.
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