Lions backs

Brian O'Driscoll

DWAYNE PEEL (Wales)
halfback, 23, 1.75cm, 75kg
Only 23 with 41 Welsh caps.Quick and athletic, is a real terrier who likes to snap at heels – and show a clean pair of them.

MATT DAWSON (England)
halfback, 34, 1.78cm, 90kg
70 caps for England, five for the Lions, the most experienced halfback in the party.A test prospect. 

JONNY WILKINSON (England)
first five-eighth, 26, 1.77m, 86kg
Star of the 2003 World Cup, where his dropped goal in the final carried England to glory. Has barely played since due to a series of injuries but was a late inclusion after passing a fitness test. His accurate left foot could hold the key to the Lions' series chances.

GARETH COOPER (Wales)
halfback, 25, 1.70cm, 76kg
Smallest man in the party, has only failed to add to his 26 caps for Wales because of the form of Peel.

CHRIS CUSITER (Scotland)
halfback, 22, 1.75cm, 83kg
Form tailed off in the Six Nations but is a resourceful halfback.16 Scottish caps.

STEPHEN JONES (Wales)
first five-eighths, 27, 1.85cm, 89kg
Transformed from the hesitant individual of a few years ago.48 tests for Wales and could keep out Wilkinson.

RONAN O 'GARA (Ireland)
first five-eighths, 28, 1.80cm, 83kg
Has great kicking record but blew a gasket in the key match against Wales. 52 caps for Ireland.

CHARLIE HODGSON (England)
first five-eighths, 24, 1.78cm, 82kg
Reportedly suffering a goal-kicking crisis of confidence.Will benefit from a dominant pack.19 caps for England.

SHANE HORGAN (Ireland)
centre/wing, 26, 1.93cm, 102kg
The biggest back on tour.Powerful going forward, ideal for New Zealand. 37 caps for Ireland.

OLLIE SMITH (England)
centre, 22, 1.85cm, 92kg
Attacking midfielder allegedly brought in after Brian O 'Driscoll told Woodward about him.Surprisingly left out of England team this year (five caps).

GORDON D 'ARCY (Ireland)
centre, 25, 1.81cm, 85kg
Fully fit, he 's one of the best attacking midfielders in the game.12 Ireland caps.

TOM SHANKLIN (Wales)
centre/winger, 25, 1.88cm, 98kg
Probably favourite for the midfield berth next to O 'Driscoll.33 Welsh caps.
* Injured, misses the rest of the tour

WILL GREENWOOD (England)
centre, 32, 1.93cm, 100kg
Maybe past his prime but is good at creating space for others.55 caps for England and two Lions tours.

BRIAN O 'DRISCOLL (Ireland)
centre, captain, 26, 1.75cm, 94kg
Will enjoy playing in a well-rounded backline.59 caps for Ireland, three for the Lions.
* Injured, misses the rest of the tour 

GAVIN HENSON (Wales)
centre, 23, 1.83cm, 95kg
Kicks long-range goals, plays first five and fullback as well as midfield. 16 Welsh caps.

DENIS HICKIE (Ireland)
winger, 29, 1.88cm, 93kg
Scored 25 tries in 51 internationals. Good finisher but some doubts remain about his ability against the quality on show in New Zealand.

SHANE WILLIAMS (Wales)
winger, 28, 1.70cm, 77kg
Has scored 24 tries in 29 internationals.Small, very quick, lightning left-foot sidestep.

JASON ROBINSON (England)
winger/fullback, 30, 1.73cm, 84kg
Should play on the wing, a class act who has scored 24 tries in 39 caps for England and three for the Lions.


GARETH THOMAS (Wales)
Full back/wing, stand-in captain, 30, 1.90m, 104kg
Plays his club rugby in France for Toulouse. Made his international debut for Wales against Japan in 1995. Awarded the captaincy after Brian O'Driscoll's injury in the first test.GEORDAN MURPHY (Ireland)
fullback/winger, 27, 1.85cm, 84kg
Coming back to top form, a fine runner from the back. 15 tries in 31 tests.

JOSH LEWSEY (England)
fullback/winger, 28, 1.80cm, 86kg
Best England back this year, a devastating tackler and runner.Should have a good tour.21 tries in 34 tests. 

MARK CUETO (England). 
winger, 25, 1.80cm, 94kg
Replaced injured countryman Iain Balshaw in the original squad. Has pace and finishing ability, and is regularly a leading try scorer in the Zurich Premiership.  Scored four tries in his first three internationals, after winning his first cap in November.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY , NZPA