Welsh Grand Slam winner Brent Cockbain was today due to arrive in New Zealand as replacement for banned Lion Danny Grewcock and will be on the bench against Manuwatu tomorrow.

The Ospreys forward, delayed when he forgot his passport, was called up after a damaging weekend when the Lions lost captain Brian O'Driscoll, flanker Richard Hill and centre Tom Shanklin to injuries and Grewcock to suspension.

Cockbain, 30, capped 20 times by Wales, earns an immediate chance in Palmerston North after linking up with the Lions from Australia, avoiding jet lag.

He will look to make the same impact as Newport-born Wales team-mate Ryan Jones, who flew out to replace Scottish international Simon Taylor and is now certain to start in the second test.

"He is going to be in fine nick. He's come off a couple of weeks in America (with Wales) and will bring big enthusiasm," said Lions assistant coach Gareth Jenkins.

The Lions team to face Manuwatu contains three Welshmen in Newport Gwent Dragons' No 8 Michael Owen, Blues' Martin Williams and Ospreys' Shane Williams while Dragons' scrum half Gareth Cooper is on the bench.

Some players who figure tomorrow will play in the Second Test but Welshmen Stephen Jones, Gavin Henson, Dwayne Peel and Gethin Jenkins could not be considered because of minor injuries, though all are expected to play on Saturday.

Grewcock, meanwhile, has protested his innocence after being convicted of biting Keven Mealamu and landing a two-month ban.

The 32-year-old, who will travel home immediately, said: "I do not agree with the decision because I did not bite the player at all, but I have to accept the decision."

New Lions captain Gareth Thomas, hoping his side can win the second Test and keep the series alive, said: "Captaining the Lions is an incredible honour which was beyond my dreams as a youngster, but in my eyes Brian is still captain of the 2005 Lions. He is going to stay with us and still play a big part."

Team (v Manuwatu): G Murphy, J Robinson, O Smith, G D'Arcy, S Williams, C Hodgson, C Cusiter, A Sheridan, G Bulloch (capt), J Hayes, S Shaw, D O'Callaghan, M Corry, M Williams, M Owen. Replacements: A Titterrell, M Stevens, B Cockbain, N Back, G Cooper, R O'Gara, M Cueto.