LIONS coach Sir Clive Woodward has admitted how close he came to picking Dragons full-back Kevin Morgan, pictured, to replace the injured Iain Balshaw in his 45-man squad to tour New Zealand.

But in the end the former England World Cup winning coach opted for Sale winger Mark Cueto, a decision that has raised a few eyebrows in Wales.

Morgan has been in sensational form this season, scoring 17 tries and winning the Grand Slam with Wales. But that wasn't good enough for Woodward.

Woodward said: "Iain wasn't going to be ready for at least another three to four weeks so we couldn't take a risk on him.

"It was a great pleasure to phone up Mark and one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity. I thought about Kevin Morgan as well as Chris Paterson and Kevin is very unlucky to miss out.

"But I just felt that because we have Gareth Thomas, Jason Robinson and Geordan Murphy who can already all play full-back, as well as Josh Lewsey who can play there also, that we needed another winger so I went for Mark who has been the form player this season."

Cueto is also seen a more of a physical presence then Morgan and if played out wide would provide more defensive stability for Woodward's Lions.

Wilko plays

Jonny Wilkinson will make his international comeback on Monday.

The Newcastle Falcons fly-half has not played at the highest level since dropping the goal which won England the 2003 World Cup in Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

When he takes to the field in Cardiff it will represent a personal triumph for Wilkinson, who has been plagued by injuries since his World Cup exploits.

Wales outside half Stephen Jones is not available for the game against Argentina because of club commitments in France with Clermont Auvergne.