Lions name new-look side to play NZ Maori

Lions rugby coach Clive Woodward will give nine players their first starts of the tour in a strong side to play New Zealand Maori on Saturday.

The team have a new halves combination of England's Matt Dawson and Wales first five-eighth Stephen Jones, with star No 10 Jonny Wilkinson not even in the reserves and yet to take the field in three tour matches.

There is also a new all-England front row of Julian White, Steve Thompson and Andy Sheridan, the latter two having played strongly off the bench against Bay of Plenty last Saturday.

Tour captain Brian O'Driscoll returns to lead the side, with Irish lock Paul O'Connell named vice-captain.

Other players to gain their first starts are Ireland midfielder Gordon D'Arcy, Wales wing Shane Williams, England lock Simon Shaw and Scotland No 8 Simon Taylor.

Lions: Josh Lewsey (England), Tom Shanklin (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (captain, Ireland), Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland), Shane Williams (Wales), Stephen Jones (Wales), Matt Dawson (England), Simon Taylor (Scotland), Martyn Williams (Wales), Richard Hill (England), Paul O'Connell (vice-captain, Ireland), Simon Shaw (England), Julian White (England), Steve Thompson (England), Andy Sheridan (England).

Reserves: Shane Byrne (Ireland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Ben Kay (England), Michael Owen (Wales), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Shane Horgan (Ireland).

- NZPA


* NZ Maori v Lions, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 7.10pm Saturday (8.10am BST/IST)