MICHAEL OWEN has been told to hurry back quickly by Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward.

Owen arrived in Wales today to watch wife Lucy give birth to their second child - just at a time when Woodward needs him more than ever.

With Lawrence Dallaglio and Simon Taylor both ruled out of the New Zealand tour, it's a straight choice between the Newport Gwent Dragon and England's Martin Corry to be the Test match number eight.

"I've got no problem with Michael going home, never have," said Woodward.

"He'll be back in time for Saturday's game in Otago but he won't be considered for selection, all that flying does have an affect. But he'll certainly be ready for the following game or the Test match.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him back here as quickly as possible. I know what he can do, he's played three of four games and I've had a good chance to watch him already."

Woodward summoned his cavalry in a bid to get the faltering tour back on track yesterday.

He was sent back to the drawing board at the weekend - his blueprint for success against the All Blacks looking decidedly out-dated against the New Zealand Maori in Hamilton.

Woodward has drafted in World Cup stars Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson and Neil Back for Wednesday's game against top provincial side Wellington - which is now a must-win encounter for the former England coach.

Gavin Henson gets another chance to forge a centre partnership with captain Brian O'Driscoll while Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins and Gareth Thomas also get an opportunity to stake their claims for a Test start. "I'm starting to form a Test team in my head," said Woodward.

"I'm pretty clearly now where we are heading and who the players are I need to see come in now. It's a big game Wednesday for a lot of our guys. We've got to use the hurt from the Maori game and make sure we don't feel it again. We've got to stay tight as a unit and make sure we put things right over the next couple of weeks.

"When the team runs out on Wednesday we've got to make sure a big performance goes in. Defeat has been a reality check for us all."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry named his Test squad yesterday - with man mountain winger Joe Rokocoko the big-name absentee.

But he was keen to downplay the Maori win in Hamilton, recalling how his Lions' side lost to Australia A four years ago, only to win the first Test against the Wallabies eleven days later.

"It was an interesting game, a good game - but I think the Lions are holding back," said Henry. "I'm not reading too much into what's happening at the moment. It reminds me of the Lions game against Australia A in 2001.

They went on to play quite well in the first Test that year and I'll be reminding my team of that at every opportunity."

Henry is doing his best to stay diplomatic but Woodward's tactics have been questioned by his assistant, Steve Hansen.

And the former Wales coach warned referees to be on the look out for dull play when the series begins in Christchurch on June 25.

"The Lions' main aim will be to slow the game down - and they are very good at it, flopping men over the ball," said the All Blacks number two.

"We need the referees to put a stop to it if we want a game the paying and watching public can actually enjoy."