Jonny "not a risk" says Henry
July 11, 2001

Jonny Wilkinson will tackle world champions Australia on Saturday, with Lions coach Graham Henry insisting: ``We are not taking any risks.''

The England fly-half has retained his Lions number 10 jersey for a Test series decider that will see 80,000 fans pack out Stadium Australia.

Wilkinson's intensive recovery schedule, after he suffered a worrying leg injury and was stretchered off during the 35-14 second Test defeat in Melbourne four days ago, is continuing under the watchful eye of Lions doctor James Robson.

Regular swimming, gym, physiotherapy and massage sessions have all been on the agenda for a player seen as crucial to Lions' victory hopes.

But Henry has dismissed any suggestion that the Newcastle points machine could be rushed back too quickly given the winner-takes-all nature of Saturday's showdown.

``Jonny will be 100% fit by Saturday. He is a very important player, a world class number 10, and that is a big bonus,'' said Henry. ``Jonny is kicking, he ran the attack for part of training today and did a lot more than the medical staff wished him to do. I think they tried to hold him back, but he is very keen to be totally involved and he probably took part in about 60% of the training today.

``We are not taking any risks on Wilkinson. He has gone through very tight medical care and control, and everyone is confident that he will be fully fit for Saturday - there are no risks involved.''

Henry today announced a team showing three changes - two enforced - from the Colonial Stadium collapse.

Right wing Dafydd James, who scorned one glorious try-scoring opportunity during the Lions' first-half domination, is dropped and replaced by in-form Austin Healey.

Healey won two Test caps as a replacement on the 1997 South Africa tour, but now makes a deserved full debut.

Elsewhere, scrum-half Matt Dawson takes over from rib injury victim Rob Howley, with Martin Corry recalled to the back-row instead of concussed flanker Richard Hill.

There are four new faces on the replacements' bench after Melbourne _ prop Darren Morris, back-row man Colin Charvis, fit-again centre Will Greenwood and fly-half Ronan O'Gara.

Charvis, available again following a one-week suspension, replaces Corry on the bench, Morris ousts England veteran Jason Leonard, Greenwood takes Dawson's spot and O'Gara deputises for Neil Jenkins, who is nursing a knee problem.

Healey, two-try star of the Lions' dramatic injury-time success against Super 12 champions ACT Brumbies last week, has undoubtedly earned his chance.

``We considered Austin for a wing berth in the last Test match, but he wasn't fit,'' Henry added. ``Dafydd has played very well. Austin played exceptionally well in the game against the Brumbies, so he was a real consideration.

``There is no problem with Dafydd's form, but Austin played superbly that night and we thought that he might give us another dimension.''

Today's announcement means that 11 players are poised to complete a series hat-trick of Test starts - Wilkinson, Matt Perry, Brian O'Driscoll, Rob Henderson, Jason Robinson, Tom Smith, Keith Wood, Phil Vickery, Martin Johnson, Danny Grewcock and Scott Quinnell.

Henry admitted there had been discussion in selection meetings about the props - Australia dominated last Saturday's scrum battle - while Corry's lineout prowess proved critical with regard to the best balanced back-row.

As for the challenge facing his players, Henry added: ``I expect Australia to play like world champions. They are a very difficult side to beat, and it is going to be an even bigger hurdle for us on Saturday, which makes it very interesting, doesn't it?''

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