BRITISH Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward has ignored Wales' Grand Slam triumph and gone for England's old brigade in a controversial line-up for the first Test against the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday.

Woodward has chosen eight England players, including World Cup veterans Neil Back and Richard Hill, and Jonny Wilkinson at inside centre instead of his normal outside half position.

He has picked just four Welsh players - Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas, Dwayne Peel and Gethin Jenkins.

Newport-born Ryan Jones earns a place as a replacement after a magnificent debut for the Lions last week when many thought he should have been in the team, but there is no place in the 22 for Shane Williams while Newport Gwent Dragons ace Michael Owen has been overlooked along with Gavin Henson.

England World Cup hero Wilkinson, poised for his first major Test match since the 2003 World Cup final, will partner skipper Brian O'Driscoll.

It is a contentious move by Lions chief Sir Clive Woodward. Wilkinson has previously worn the number 12 shirt for England, but it is as a fly-half that he made his name during a 52-cap international career.

In another surprise move full back Josh Lewsey lines up on the right wing, and his England colleague Jason Robinson starts in the number 15 jersey when Lewsey has been the form full back on tour.

Up front, Ireland's Shane Byrne has won the vote as hooker over Steve Thompson, with Ben Kay and Paul O'Connell paired together at lock, Kay preferred to teammate Danny Grewcock, and Woodward has chosen an all-English back row of Richard Hill, Neil Back and Martin Corry.

At 36, Leicester flanker Back is the oldest player ever selected in an original Lions squad, and his selection comes more than a year after he retired from England duties.

There are also five England players among the substitutes - Thompson, Graham Rowntree, Grewcock, Matt Dawson and Will Greenwood - who boast 273 Test caps between them.

New Zealand team: Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Justin Marshall, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo.

Replacements: Derren Witcombe, Greg Somerville, Jono Gibbes, Sione Lauaki, Byron Kelleher, Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear.