Woodward: I will pick Healey

Clive Woodward will pick Austin Healey in England?s Grand Slam squad next week even if he becomes the second Lion to be fined for misconduct.

The manager?s unconditional assurance coincides with Healey?s appearance before a Lions disciplinary tribunal in Dublin tomorrow to explain his ?Up Yours Australia? newspaper column in which he attacked the new Wallaby lock, Justin Harrison.

The outburst angered Lions coach Graham Henry and prompted Woodward to warn his players that any repeat in an English context would result in the offender writing off his international career. He spelt out the consequences in meetings with Healey and Matt Dawson, fined £5,000 by the Lions for criticising their management before the start of the Test series.

Woodward said: ?They regret what they have done but we have never had any difficulties with either player.

?Austin got it wrong. I did chuckle when I read the column in question, then I thought: ?This is a big call?. Campese has been slagging the English off for years and years. Most of us find that quite amusing but this happens with Healey and all of a sudden we have a major incident.

?He will be in the squad for the Ireland game. I have spoken at length to him and the matter will be discussed with the rest of the squad. I cannot overstate my position on this issue.

?If organisations are going to allow flyonthe-wall documentaries and people at the top to write books, then players are within their rights to do likewise. Nobody knows what Graham is going to write in his book about the players. It does leave them exposed.

?You have to set your own rules. I have been approached quite a few times by people wanting to make behind-thescenes documentaries and others wanting me to write various pieces.