Lions select Wilkinson to face Argentina

Jonny Wilkinson

LONDON - England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson has been included in the British and Irish Lions team to play Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff next week.

The game, a warmup for the tour of New Zealand, will be the first international for Wilkinson since he dropped the winning goal in the 2003 World Cup final.

Wilkinson, a Lions tourist in Australia four years ago, will be partnered at halfback by Gareth Cooper, who with winger Shane Williams and number eight Michael Owen is one of only three players from the grand slam champions Wales in the 22.

Owen will skipper what looks like a second-string side in the absence of tour captain Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland.

"I'm pleased to be sitting here next to Michael," coach Clive Woodward told Sky Sports News. "He's had a fantastic Six Nations and he reflects why Wales did so well.

"It's a huge honour to captain the Lions at any time and it will be especially so for Michael to captain them in Cardiff. I have no doubt he'll acquit himself well.

"Jonny Wilkinson will be vice-captain as it's vital to have experienced leaders on the pitch. It's also very important for him to get another game in before we go."

Fullback Geordan Murphy, winger Denis Hickie and centre Gordon D'Arcy make up a strong Irish contingent in the backline, while their international team mates hooker Shane Byrne, prop John Hayes and lock Malcolm O'Kelly feature in the pack.

England's Danny Grewcock partners O'Kelly in the second row with flanker Lewis Moody and centre Ollie Smith the other Englishmen in the starting line-up.

Coach Clive Woodward has made Simon Taylor the sole Scottish representative in the side at flanker, although scrumhalf Chris Cusiter appears on the bench.

"I see Monday as a massive game, but overall our aim is to win the tests in New Zealand," Woodward added. "I'm delighted we're playing this team. We know their strengths."

The Lions play Bay of Plenty on June 4 in their first match of the tour of New Zealand, which includes three tests against the All Blacks.

Lions - 15-Geordan Murphy; 14-Denis Hickie, 13-Ollie Smith, 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Shane Williams; 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Gareth Cooper; 8-Michael Owen (captain), 7-Lewis Moody, 6-Simon Taylor, 5-Danny Grewcock, 4-Malcolm O'Kelly, 3-John Hayes, 2-Shane Byrne, 1-Graham Rowntree.

Replacements: 16-Steve Thompson, 17-Julian White, 18-Donncha O'Callaghan, 19-Martin Corry, 20-Chris Cusiter, 21-Ronan O'Gara, 22-Shane Horgan.