Lions forced to make two changes

Lions training session photos

The Lions have made two changes to the side to play Argentina on Monday in Cardiff because of injuries.

Malcolm O'Kelly (abdominal muscle) and Simon Taylor (left hamstring) picked up knocks in training on Friday.

Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan comes into the second row to replace compatriot O'Kelly while England captain Martin Corry replaces Taylor.

England forwards Ben Kay and Lawrence Dallaglio come onto the bench for the match at the Millennium Stadium.

Assistant coach Ian McGeechan, however, insisted the injuries to O'Kelly and Taylor were not serious.

He added: "They picked up the two injuries in the session yesterday and the medics got onto it straight away and they are assessing them day-by-day.

"We are still awaiting the final assessment on both Malcolm and Simon but, with the close proximity of the game on Monday night, changes needed to be put in place."

Wales number eight Michael Owen will captain the side while Jonny Wilkinson will play his first international rugby since the 2003 World Cup final.

It's important for Wilkinson to get another full game in Sir Clive Woodward More reaction

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, who is captaining the tour party, is given the day off.

Wilkinson will be partnered at half-back by Wales scrum-half Gareth Cooper, while Gordon D'Arcy, whose injury problems ruined his Six Nations campaign, is one of six Irishman in the starting XV.

He plays at centre with England youngster Ollie Smith.

Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy gets the chance to push his Test claims while elusive Welsh winger Shane Williams will play in front of his home fans.

To me that team could possibly be one of the weakest we could have put out. Maybe that's the point? From H Have your say on Scrum V

None of Sale's five representatives in the squad were considered because of their European Challenge Cup final against Pau on Saturday.

Gareth Thomas misses the game as he is playing for Toulouse in Sunday's Heineken Cup final.

The Lions begin their New Zealand tour against Bay of Plenty on 4 June.

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Lions: Murphy; Hickie, Smith, D'Arcy, Williams; Wilkinson, Cooper; Rowntree, Byrne, Hayes; O'Callaghan, Grewcock; Corry, Moody, Owen.
Replacements: Thompson, White, Kay, Dallaglio, Cusiter, O'Gara, Horgan.