Vickery primed for Lions tour

David Young, the 33-year- old Wales captain and sole survivor from the winning Lions series in Australia 11 years ago, will not play before December following calf surgery.

In Cardiff yesterday for the launch of Welsh rugby's 'autumn festival,' Henry identified three areas of potential weakness: 'Tighthead prop, No.8 and fly half.'

The search for new candidates begins in earnest this weekend with the launch of the European Heineken Cup.

The three selectors - Henry, assistant coach Andy Robinson and team manager Donal Lenihan - are being reinforced by four 'advisers': John Rutherford (Scotland), Derek Quinnell (Wales), Simon Halliday (England) and John O'Driscoll (Ireland).

At the first of their monthly meetings, in Bristol, they compiled an initial list of 75 players, a mixture of certainties, likely lads and long shots. 'We can add or subtract from that list at any time,' said Henry.

'We will work our way through it over the next six months until we come up with the final 37. We have an open mind on everything. No selection is cut and dried.

'Our selection advisers are very good people who know the game inside out and who are prepared to stand up to be counted, which is very important. We will turn over every stone to ensure we have the best possible squad in Australia.'

Henry has a clear idea of where the Lions will have to do the hardest spade-work.

'There are not a lot of tighthead props around,' he said. 'White and Young are injured. Paul Wallace played there on the last Lions tour but didn't make the Irish team last season. We will have to take a very close look round all four countries.

'Similarly, if you look around there are not a lot of outstanding No.8s. Lawrence Dallaglio would prefer to play at six (blindside flanker) and that is probably his best position. Lawrence would be more effective there than at No.8.

'At fly half you have Jonny Wilkinson, Ronan O'Gara, Stephen Jones and Neil Jenkins. Most of those are pretty young and not that experienced in international rugby, so it is a challenge. Gregor Townsend, the Lions incumbent, does have the experience. Wilkinson is a very good footballer. He is playing very well and will get better but let's not undermine the others. There are alternatives although, overall, there are more forwards in the running than backs.'

Even at such an embryonic stage, Henry acknowledges that some outstanding players will be left at home, given the embarrassment of riches in certain departments like second row, where Martin Johnson and Jeremy Davidson reigned supreme in South Africa three years ago.

The formidable platoon threatening to split the Anglo-Irish combination include Scott Murray, Danny Grewcock, Malcolm O'Kelly and Simon Shaw. 'The middle row is extremely strong,' said Henry. 'We will probably take five but it is inevitable that some very good players will miss out.'