Lions Team Named for Third Test

Munster’s Paul O Connell and Donncha O Callaghan retain their places in the second row for Saturday s Third Test, with Ronan O Gara named on the bench.

Munster’s Paul O Connell and Donncha O Callaghan retain their places in the second row for Saturday s Third Test, with Ronan O Gara named on the bench.

Ireland s Geordan Murphy will make his first appearance in a Lions Test side, coming into full back in place of Josh Lewsey who shifts to the left wing.

Having delayed naming the team due to the number of injuries on the squad, the team named sees four changes in total from the team beaten by a rampant All Blacks side last weekend. England international Mark Cueto comes onto the right wing in place of Jason Robinson after some fine mid week performances. With Jonny Wilkinson and Gavin Henson both ruled out earlier in the week due to stinger injuries, Stephen Jones will don the No. 10 jersey, with Will Greenwood at outside centre.

Woodward’s pack has remained unchanged, despite some question marks earlier in the week over Gareth Thomas, who had picked up a virus.

In total, four Irish players will start on Saturday, with try scorer Simon Easterby once again named as flanker. Leinster s Shane Horgan is named on the bench.

On Tuesday Graham Henry named his All Black squad for Saturday s test game, with Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger ruled out of the side due to injury. Justin Marshall has been named on the bench, with Byron Kelleher retaining the No. 9 jersey. In his last game before joining Leeds for a two-year stint, New Zealand s third most capped player Marshall is expected to come off the bench and play a part in Saturday s game. Henry has made two late changes to the named squad, with Richie MacCaw now ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Leon MacDonald sidelined by a groin strain. Rodney So’oialo moves from No 8 to openside flanker, with Sione Lauaki to play No 8. Twenty one year old Luke McAlister will play at fly half with Nick Evans coming on to the bench as cover.

NEW ZEALAND Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (captain), Sitiveni Sivivatu, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So’oialo, Sione Lauaki, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Campbell Johnstone, James Ryan, Marty Holah, Justin Marshall, Nick Evans, Doug Howlett.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: (15) Geordan Murphy (Leicester/Ireland), (14) Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks/England), (13) Will Greenwood (NEC Harlequins/England), (12) Gareth Thomas (Toulouse/Wales) (Captain), (11) Josh Lewsey (Wasps/England), (10) Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne/Wales), (9) Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets/Wales), (1) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales), (2) Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints/England), (3) Julian White (Leicester/England), (4) Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland), (5) Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland), (6) Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets/Ireland), (7) Lewis Moody (Leicester/England), (8) Ryan Jones (The Ospreys/Wales) Reserves: (16) Shane Byrne (Leinster/Ireland), (17) Graham Rowntree (Leicester/England), (18) Martin Corry (Leicester/England), (19) Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), (20) Matt Dawson (Wasps/England), (21) Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland), (22) Shane Horgan (Leinster/Ireland),

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)