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Worsley to push for Lions place from bench
By Chris Jones, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 24.03.05England flanker Joe Worsley's bid to secure a Lions tour place will be launched from the London Wasps replacements bench against Sale tomorrow night.
Worsley had a difficult Six Nations, unable to produce the kind of rugby that has made him such a key member of the Wasps team, who use him in a different way to England.
He had to adopt the role of head-down ball carrier as England struggled and this harmed his Lions chances for the New Zealand trip.
Now, he must rely on his performances for second-placed Wasps as they bid for a third successive Zurich Premiership title. However, Wasps have stuck with Tom Rees and John Hart in the back row alongside captain Lawrence Dallaglio against third-placed Sale.
England wing Josh Lewsey and Ireland open side Jonny O'Connor are also on the bench. Dallaglio believes the players who have been filling in have earned the right to start.
He said: "The selection proves that even Test players can't just walk back into the team.
"We said all along that our aim was a top-three finish and a win at Sale would strengthen our position as second in the table to Leicester."
Dallaglio staked his claim for a Lions place by leading the North against the South in the tsunami match at Twickenham and his performance would have impressed Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward.
Dallaglio believes Sale will pose a major threat even though their captain Jason Robinson is out injured. "They have a powerful team," he said.
