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Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 February, 2005, 06:59 GMT
Lions Watch - Week Two
Zinzan Brooke
By Zinzan Brooke
Former All Black

Charlie Hodgson seems to be shooting himself in the foot every time he plays for England at the moment.

I have heard him say before that the occasion has got to him, and you might think that, but you never say it.

Wales flanker Martyn Williams celebrates his man-of-the-match display against Italy
Martyn Williams is certainly putting his hand up for Lions selection
That is going to haunt him forever and they won't have any sympathy him for him down in New Zealand if he goes with the Lions.

The All Blacks coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen will know what he has been through and if he is there, he will be targeted for sure. They will go straight for him.

Josh Lewsey played well again for England - he worked his socks off. Jason Robinson was also quite electrifying but he needed a bit more support when he made his breaks.

Martin Corry had a very solid game on his return from injury. He is not flash but he certainly gives it his all, and England need his steel and bite.

Lewis Moody played all right too. He got around the field and made some good tackles, and did well chasing kick-offs.

It was disappointing he conceded a couple of penalties towards the end but that didn't cost England the game.

They shouldn't have had to rely on those kind of decisions going against them to win.

Wales flanker Martyn Williams has had two good games on the bounce and he is certainly putting his hand up for Lions selection.

I was talking to Ieuan Evans and Scott Quinnell over the weekend about him and they were saying exactly the same.

Ireland locks Paul O'Connell (left) and Malcolm O'Kelly celebrate victory over Scotland
I like the combination of O'Connell and O'Kelly
It will be interesting to see whether Clive Woodward goes for Shane Williams on the wing too, or whether he thinks his size might be an issue.

He has certainly got his hands full picking a side at the moment and some are going to play their way in, while others will play their way out, by the end of the Six Nations.

Scotland flanker Jason White is a very good player and in the right environment with top players around him he could be even better.

A back row with White, Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill or Moody would certainly be pretty powerful.

Ireland lock Paul O'Connell was a bit quiet against Italy but he had a huge game against Scotland.

If he puts a run of games together, he will basically pick himself for the Lions.

Now that Martin Johnson has ruled himself out they are going to need someone with that kind of presence and status.

I like the combination of O'Connell and Malcolm O'Kelly - one raw, mobile lock and a solid set-piece operator alongside him.

They remind me a bit of my brother, Robin Brooke, and Ian Jones when they played together for the All Blacks.




SEE ALSO
Lions Watch - Week One
08 Feb 05 |  Six Nations


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