We have selected a very strong side who will give us a good start to the tour Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward

Ireland's O'Kelly was troubled by a recurrence of an abdominal muscle injury at training on Wednesday.

"It is obviously disappointing for Malcolm," said Woodward. "But this is why we have the strength in depth.

"It ensures that we get the players back to full fitness needed to tackle the tough games ahead."

Otherwise, Woodward named a strong side for the New Zealand tour opener in Rotorua.

I'm a long way off knowing what the first Test side will be Sir Clive Woodward

Experienced back-rowers Lawrence Dallaglio, Martyn Williams and Richard Hill start with Paul O'Connell locking an impressive Lions scrum with Ben Kay.

Taylor delay frustrates Woodward

Captain Brian O'Driscoll is partnered in the centres by Wales' Gavin Henson.

Josh Lewsey comes in at full-back while Tom Shanklin and Mark Cueto are on the wings, but Jonny Wilkinson is missing as Ronan O'Gara starts at fly-half.

Henson's Wales team-mate Dwayne Peel, considered favourite for the Test scrum-half berth, takes the number nine jersey.

That looks like a really good front row to compliment a great loose trio From Dave Have your say on Scrum V

Woodward, keen to erase memories of last week's spluttering 25-25 draw against Argentina, said: "There is a huge sense of excitement and anticipation now our first game in New Zealand is so close.

"Because it's the first game, Bay of Plenty will want to give us a very tough match and we have selected a very strong side who will give us a good start to the tour.

"I just want to win and if you happen to play some attractive rugby, that is a huge bonus, but history and sport only remember people who win.

"Experience has shown me if you win a game of rugby and not played well, you can still get momentum but it is much harder if you lose a game."

Woodward will also cast his eye over the All Black trial between the Probables and the Possibles on Friday, but he admitted it would not influence his own thinking.

"I'm pretty sure in my own mind what the New Zealand team is going to be, so I'll watch their trial with interest," he said.

"But I'm much more interested in the Lions team because we are a long way off where we need to be playing-wise, as was proved in Cardiff, and I'm a long way off knowing what the first Test side will be."

Bay opt for forward power

Bay of Plenty have selected 10 players with experience in the southern hemisphere's highest-profile club competition, the Super 12.

British & Irish Lions: Josh Lewsey; Mark Cueto, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin; Ronan O'Gara, Dwayne Peel; Gethin Jenkins, Gordon Bulloch, Matt Stevens, Paul O'Connell, Ben Kay, Richard Hill, Martyn Williams, Lawrence Dallaglio.
Replacements: Steve Thompson, Andrew Sheridan, Donncha O'Callaghan, Martin Corry, Matt Dawson, Charlie Hodgson, Gordon D'Arcy.

Bay of Plenty: Adrian Cashmore; Filimone Bolavucu, Allan Bunting, Grant McQuoid, Anthony Tahana; Murray Williams, Kevin Senio; Colin Bourke, Nili Latu, Wayne Ormond (captain), Bernie Upton, Mark Sorenson; Ben Castle, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison.

Replacements: John Pareanga, Taufa'ao Filise, Paul Tupai, Warren Smith, Charles Hubbard, Robert Moon, Apoua Stewart.