Trial shock for Lions ace

Sie Clive said today he had no doubts about picking Gareth Thomas for the First Test showdown with the All Blacks despite the distraction of news that he is to face trial on assault charges in France.

The announcement from French officials was made just 24 hours before the Lions kick off the Test Series here. Head coach Woodward said the timing was unfortunate but did not believe it would have any impact on Thomas's role in the match.

"Gareth Thomas's case is something we have known about for some time," said Woodward. "It had no relevance to his selection for the Test match but the timing is unfortunate."

The Wales captain, who has been singled out as one of Woodward's key men in the game here tomorrow, is one of three players from the now-defunct Bridgend team facing charges of assault and sexual assault following a nightclub fracas in Pau in October 2003.

Although all three men denied the allegations at a hearing in November 2003, court officials yesterday decided they must face trial and have set 13 October as the date for the case to start.

The Lions tour ends on 9 July. Woodward revealed today that the Lions had received numerous goodwill messages headed by one from Prime Minister Tony Blair and another from South African rugby coach Jake White. He added: "Against all the odds and all logic we're going to try and come off the pitch with more points than the team in black.