JONNY Wilkinson hasn't got the pace or guile to play at inside centre, says David Watkins, the Newport president and former Wales and British Lions outside half.

Current Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward has controversially switched Wilkinson from outside half to number 12 for Saturday's first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Watkins played in all six Tests for the Lions in New Zealand and Australia in 1966 when another outside half was switched to centre, similar to the Wilkinson experiment.

But that one worked because the player in question was Irishman Mike Gibson who went on to win over 60 caps, mainly in the centre.

"Wilkinson has got neither the pace nor the guile of Mike Gibson, who was a bit more than a linkman.

"He had the pace to get away and he carved a new career for himself there," said Watkins.

"It appears that the idea is to carry Wilkinson for his goalkicking. He tackles and he kicks, but he hasn't got the instincts of a centre."

Watkins calls Woodward's Test match selection negative and lacking adventure, criticising the omission of game breakers Gavin Henson and Shane Williams.

"It's all too negative and lacking adventure. I would have thought Gavin and Shane should at least have been on the bench if things go wrong," he said.

"The first Test is so important, because if you lose you're treading water whereas if you win you're on a high. But one down with two to play is not an enviable position to be in.

"Carwyn James (the Lions coach in 1971 when they achieved their only Test series win in New Zealand) had a plan to take the game to them and we won the first Test which gave the whole tour the right impetus.

"But I've got grave doubts this time. I can't for the life of me see the point of taking 45, or 49 now, players on tour. Some of the things which have been done are very bewildering."

Watkins believes the Welsh way of playing, particularly last season, provides the best chance of beating the All Blacks.

"We played a brand of football which was akin to what we could do. Graham Henry and Steve Hansen wanted to turn us into an All Black juggernaut, but we aren't made that way," he said.

"New Zealand will run at you all day, they play a much looser game than us. We are putting a lot of emphasis on the scrum and on being tough and reliable rather than exciting.

"The Lions team doesn't give me the confidence I thought I'd have, there's no spirit of adventure. It's all a bit baffling, but reputations will stand on this.

"If the Lions lose the first Test won't Woodward come in for some stick? There will certainly be a lot of players pushing for places."

Watkins will see it all at first hand, having left last night for New Zealand where he will lead a supporters group.