The twenty-times capped Wales lock, who was left out of Sir Clive Woodward’s initial party, received the call on Sunday after Danny Grewcock was ruled out of the tour through suspension. Grewcock was found guilty of biting during Saturday’s first Test against Christchurch and was banned from playing for two months.
Cockbain’s arrival takes the number of Welshmen in the party to eleven; Tom Shanklin is set to go home tomorrow after suffering a recurrence of the knee injury he suffered at the end of the season, four of whom are in tomorrow’s XXII. Two of Saturday’s Test side are included in the starting line-up, Jason Robinson and Martin Corry, whilst Neil Back is on the bench.
Martyn Williams said: “It is good to see Brent here, he has had a good season and he is certainly looking forward to getting an opportunity to play. It was disappointing last Saturday but we have an immediate chance to strike back and get the squad in a decent position ahead of the weekend.”
British and Irish Lions v Manawatu
Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
28th June 2005, 8.10am (BST)
British & Irish Lions team v Manawatu
G Murphy
J Robinson
O Smith
G D’Arcy
S Williams
C Hodgson
C Cusiter
A Sheridan
G Bulloch (capt)
D O’Callaghan
S Shaw
M Corry
M Williams
M Owen
Replacements
A Titterrell
M Stevens
B Cockbain
N Back
G Cooper
R O’Gara
M Cueto
