Welsh hero JPR blasts Woodward

Sir CLive Woddward was subjected to a stinging attack today from Welsh legend JPR Williams after he axed Wales internationals Gavin Henson, Michael Owen and Martyn Williams from the First Test side to face the All Blacks on Saturday.

Woodward's decision to consign this high profile trio to the midweek team for tomorrow's low profile clash with Southland in Invercargill has led to claims of an English conspiracy.

The furore has been led by Williams, the former Wales full back and a leading member of the victorious 1971 Lions team in New Zealand, who said: "I am beginning to wonder if Clive Woodward knows what he is doing. I just cannot figure out what his plan is - if he has got one. I feel for the Lions because under Woodward they have made some crucial errors as we go into the first test.

"Not giving the Test team a run before Saturday is a ridiculous scenario and could cost the Lions the series. I don't rate any of the English second rows. So much for Wales's Six Nations win. He will pick a lot of English players and play that boring game. If they win he will be a genius!"

The 23 players going for Test places feature 13 Englishmen, six Welsh, four Irish and none from Scotland. Henson said: "Everyone wants to play in Tests so there is bound to be some disappointment at not being selected. But competition was always going to be fierce."