Wilkinson wins Lions Test place Defiant Woodward backs picks

The countdown to the first Test between New Zealand and the Lions is well and truly under way following Sir Clive Woodward's team announcement.

But the chosen 15 have not found favour with a host of BBC Sport website users and Woodward is the focus of their ire.

The English coach is accused of being biased towards his compatriots and showing too much respect for reputation instead of form.

And then there are doubts about his decision to select Jonny Wilkinson - who also ticks both bias and reputation boxes - out of position at inside centre.

"The selection is either baffling or genius," says one user, "but I think Sir Clive has gone bananas."

The Test team has already been branded the "English Lions" by Celts aggrieved at the number of their players who have been snubbed by Woodward - and with eight starters and a further five Englishmen on the bench it is easy to see why.

That equates to almost 60% of the squad, leaving space for only four Welsh and three Irish starters plus a player apiece on the bench. There are no Scots involved.

Without wanting to sound like a whingeing Welshy, the Lions might as well just play in white From VV Have your say on Scrum V

The selection is a disgrace. Woodward's love of out-of-form England players would be understandable if he had no other options. Several quality Celtic players have been done a grave disservice and it will have a very negative effect on squad unity.
Dan, Leicester

What planet is Woodward on? Thirteen players in the squad from the fourth best team in the Six Nations and he left out the only two players capable of making a break - Shane Williams and Gavin Henson.
Greg Donald, Gorseinon, Wales

What a predictable team. He was always going to go with his English favourites. How Wilkinson is picked at centre ahead of Tom Shanklin and Shane Horgan is beyond me. Let's just hope it pays off on Saturday morning.
Alec, Cardiff

Of course we are critical of Woodward's selection, and yes, maybe he will prove us wrong. But 80% of the public, English or otherwise, would have Henson in the team. Time, I am sad to say, will tell that 80% were right.
Terry, Bridgend

Shane Williams not in the 22? An absolute travesty. He has shown twice he can compete against NZ and had a great game against Otago. What is Sir Clive up to?
Jon Perkins, Toronto, Canada

The argument over English bias blends with the one on not picking players on form. Simon Easterby and Gavin Henson are not even in the 22 despite playing well in New Zealand, while Ryan Jones is on the bench after a barn-storming performance against Otago.

On the flip side, Richard Hill, Jonny Wilkinson and Will Greenwood are all selected despite struggling with injury for much of the last year.

As we thought - Woodward has picked based on the form of two years ago From Rob Have your say on Scrum V

When the squad was announced Woodward said only one Englishman would be in the Test XV if it were being played then. In four weeks another eight have played themselves in - it's quite astonishing. Clearly this team has been picked on reputation rather than form as we were promised.
Ben, Sydney

Shame on Sir Clive for devaluing the jersey as he rewards the 2003 England team with selection. Assertions he would select players based on form proved to be LIES. The Lions should represent the cream of British and Irish rugby, but this bunch of fading, faded has-beens is a disgrace.
Simon Nicholas, Eastbourne

So he's gone for experience, at least that's what we hear he told Henson, and then he picks a fly-half at inside centre. Can anyone say that based on current form this is the best team available to represent our four Home Nations?
Ben Evans, Dallas

Choose on form and that certainly doesn't mean England players. The New Zealand side has been picked on form, but this is clearly not something that Woodward has taken on.
Jonathan, England

Whilst the forward selection is acceptable, the backs have failed to show anything to frighten the All Blacks. Wilkinson is clearly underdone and Henson should have been picked as at least it would give the players inside him some familiarity of what plays they are running. Jason Robinson is also out of sorts and Josh Lewsey should be at full-back with Mark Cueto on the wing.
Chris P, Sunshine Coast, Australia

Jonny Wilkinson's selection at inside centre is the most obvious case of a player playing out of position.

But there is also disruption in the back three where Jason Robinson starts at full-back - having played his only game of the tour on the wing - and Josh Lewsey moves to the wing having played at full-back in all his outings in New Zealand.

Can someone please explain to me why on God's earth Wilkinson is playing centre? From WI Have your say on Scrum V

The whole Henson situation amazed me and then Sir Clive picks Wilkinson at inside centre. He hasn't played more than five games at his usual position over the last 18 months, so how Woodward can warrant picking him instead of any of the other centres is beyond me.
Ben Evans, Dallas, TX

Four years ago defences had not sussed Robinson out - they have now. Lewsey is a natural full-back so play him there. I hope I am proved wrong but you cannot play players out of position - especially one who has not played competitive rugby for the best part of 18 months.
Tom, Derby

I can't believe that side. Lewsey plays great rugby at full-back and we now have four backs playing out of position. I'm not optimistic with that un-tested formation.
Tony Hurl-Hodges, England

It's a strong Lions team built on experience but lacks that X-factor. Lack of trust in each others ability, lack of familiarity in their combinations and playing guys out of position for the first time on tour is risky. Either a piece of tactical genius or complete suicide.
Lee, Melbourne

With so many players out of position and up against the most expansive All Black team in years, Sir Clive's ego and his team are up for a sublime lesson in the basics.
Jonathan , England

But in amongst the criticism, there is a lone voice who believes Woodward is concocting a "strategic masterplan".

The best test teams in the world at releasing their outside backs in recent years have always had two footballers who can play fly-half well.

Jonny Wilkinson and Stephen Jones will be interchangeable depending on where they are on the field and we will see some solid forward groundwork followed by some stunning attacks through the backs.

Look at the outside four; Brian O'Driscoll, Gareth Thomas, Josh Lewsey and Jason Robinson roaming from full back. The attacking lines could be amazing.

Two naturally gifted kickers to keep the defence on the back foot and then unleash the hounds - a strategic masterplan.
Miles, Bermuda