Kiwi Graham Henry coached Wales for four years until 2002

Should Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall and Phil Vickery regain fitness and join the squad, it will mean 23 of the 47 players will be English.

"Maybe the Celts are feeling a wee bit disappointed they didn't get a few more in," said former Welsh coach Henry.

"There might be a bit of tension there but generally they're a fine team."

Have your say on Scrum V: Will there be tensions within this Lions squad?

Henry added that he found certain selections peculiar, namely the English quartet of Matt Stevens, Andrew Sheridan, Ollie Smith and Andy Titterrell.

"Stevens, Sheridan, Smith and Titterrell were players I didn't expect to be selected," said Henry.

Stephen is a world-class player now, a very good goal-kicker, a good kicker from hand and navigates the team well Graham Henry Henry tips Jones for Lions start

However, he admitted he envied the strength in depth of the Lions and conceded the All Blacks had a problem in the lock position.

"I was going to ask Sir Clive to lend us a couple," Henry quipped. "We have some young guys coming along but it's probably too early for them.

"That's our major question mark in the Test team, but it's going to be a fantastic series."

Henry also played down the possible loss of Wilkinson, insisting Welshman Stephen Jones is a top-class fly-half in his own right.

Wilkinson hoping for Lions return

Wilkinson has been left out of the initial squad but is hoping to prove his fitness and play some part in the tour.

But Henry is tipping Jones to start at fly-half for the first Test in Christchurch.

"At the moment I would think Stephen Jones would have his head in front by a considerable margin," said Henry.