Simon Easterby’s call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad makes it eleven Irish again in the 45-strong tour party. Malcolm O’Kelly was forced to withdraw on June 1 with an abdominal muscle injury.
Simon Easterby’s call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad makes it eleven Irish again in the 45-strong tour party. Malcolm O’Kelly was forced to withdraw on June 1 with an abdominal muscle injury.
Brian O’Driscoll was one of the initial eleven Ireland players to be included in Sir Clive Woodward’s touring party, which was announced on Monday, April 11 at Heathrow’s Hilton hotel in London.
England’s 2003 World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson, who has been plagued by injury, was originally omitted, but included in the interim, having proved his fitness when lining out for Newcastle Falcons.
England now have 21 players included, with Easterby replacing former England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio (fractured right ankle), while Grand Slam winners Wales boast 10 and Scotland 3. Wilkinson’s inclusion bolstered the squad to 45 in playing numbers, while the only late change, before the departure for New Zealand, saw Sale winger and Six Nations top try-scorer Mark Cueto brought in for injury victim Iain Balshaw (quadricep tear).
O’Driscoll, Ireland’s first Lions captain since Ciaran Fitzgerald on the 1983 tour to New Zealand, said afterwards the squad announcement: “”It is a tremendous honour to be asked to be Lions captain and lead a squad of so many great players. When you look at the list of past Lions captains that include the likes of Martin Johnson and Willie John McBride, it is humbling.
“The Lions has such a powerful history, and Clive will move it on again.
“The level of preparation and professionalism will ensure this tour combines the inspiration of Lions history, while being at the cutting edge of modern sport.”
The 26-year-old Leinster and Ireland centre added: “I think the Lions is such a different entity. We kick each other sideways in the Six Nations but it’s all forgotten as we come together for the tour.
“We’ve all been Irish, Scotsmen, English and Welsh until today when we come together as one team. I don’t anticipate it being difficult to bring the team together.”
2005 British and Irish Lions Squad:
Backs:
M Cueto (England and Sale Sharks), Geordan Murphy (Ireland and Leicester), J Robinson (England and Sale Sharks), G Thomas (Wales and Toulouse), S Williams (Wales and Neath-Swansea Ospreys), J Lewsey (England and Wasps), Shane Horgan (Ireland and Leinster), Denis Hickie (Ireland and Leinster), T Shanklin (Wales and Cardiff Blues), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland and Leinster) (Capt), G Henson (Wales and Neath-Swansea Ospreys), O Smith (England and Leicester), Gordon D’Arcy (Ireland and Leinster), W Greenwood (England and Harlequins), S Jones (Wales and Clermont Auvergne), Ronan O’Gara (Ireland and Munster), C Hodgson (England and Sale Sharks), M Dawson (England and Wasps), D Peel (Wales and Llanelli Scarlets), G Cooper (Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons), C Cusiter (Scotland and Borders), J Wilkinson (England and Newcastle Falcons).
Forwards:
G Rowntree (England and Leicester), A Sheridan (England and Sale Sharks), M Stevens (England and Bath), G Jenkins (Wales and Cardiff Blues), J White (England and Leicester), John Hayes (Ireland and Munster), G Bulloch (Scotland and Glasgow), S Thompson (England and Northampton), A Titterrell (England and Sale Sharks), Shane Byrne (Ireland and Leinster), D Grewcock (England and Bath), B Kay (England and Leicester), Donncha O’Callaghan (Ireland and Munster), Paul O’Connell (Ireland and Munster), M Owen (Wales and Newport Gwent Dragons), R Hill (England and Saracens), N Back (England and Leicester), M Williams (Wales and Cardiff Blues), L Moody (England and Leicester), S Taylor (Scotland and Edinburgh), M Corry (England and Leicester), S Shaw (England and Wasps), Simon Easterby (Ireland and Llanelli).
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