South Africa's Victor Matfield has said he is relieved that the Lions omitted Jonny Wilkinson from their squad this week. The England outside-half has not played since last September after suffering a dislocated kneecap and the tourists adopted a policy of naming only fit players.

"Losing a player of Jonny Wilkinson's calibre is massive for any side," said the second-row forward. "He is a player of quality and I am slightly surprised that the Lions did not give him an opportunity to prove his fitness. He brings a lot to England because he is so versatile in terms of playing a tactical or a more expansive game. The two outside-halves they have ­chosen [Stephen Jones and Ronan O'Gara] are quality in their own right and their experience will be important in big Test matches. Otherwise there were no surprises in the squad. They've selected mainly Irish and Welsh players, staying true to their promise to pick on form, not reputation, which is what counted against Wilkinson."

Matfield said South Africa, the World Cup holders, would not be ­taking the Lions lightly, despite bookmakers making them odds-on favourites to win the three-Test series. "If they manage to gel quickly, they will be very difficult to beat," he added. "That is the key for them and it will be their biggest challenge. South Africa are blessed with a special squad of players at the moment and if we play to our potential we can beat any side in the world."

South Africa's coach, Pieter de Villiers, has also expressed his surprise about the composition of the Lions squad and the omission of the respective captains of England, Scotland and Wales, Steve Borthwick, Mike Blair and Ryan Jones. "The one thing that surprised me was that the leaders of three home nations weren't included in the squad – the guys that play under those guys respect them," he said. "Those are the guys that can stand up in meetings and try to resolve small niggles and things that can evolve on a long tour like this."

The England full-back, Delon Armitage, another who failed to make the Lions squad, had the consolation of being named on the shortlist for the Professional Rugby Players' Association player of the year award. His younger brother and fellow international, Steffon, is up for the young player of the year award. Juan ­Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Ben Foden, ­Seilala Mapusua and Tom May complete the senior nominations, with Tom Croft, Jordan Turner-Hall, Danny Care and Foden up for the young player award.

"It is a tremendous honour to be nominated by my peers," said Delon Armitage, who is poised to make the Premiership play-offs with London Irish. "This has been a remarkable season for me, which I hope to continue beyond this weekend."

Phil Vickery, the England prop who made the Lions squad, hopes to make his first appearance for Wasps since suffering concussion during the Six Nations when his former club, Gloucester, visit Adams Park on Saturday. It would be only his sixth Premiership appearance of the season. The World Cup winner Josh Lewsey will end his professional career in England playing for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham on 30 May. "It's a real honour to have the opportunity to play for the Barbarians," Lewsey said. "In an era of professionalism it is a club that upholds the value of sport at its best and to that end it will be an honour to play for them at the end of my career." The Barbarians squad also includes the likes of Serge Betsen, Luke McAllister and Martin Corry.His swansong will be the Barbarians game against Australia in Sydney on 6 June.Sale, meanwhile, have signed the Glasgow and ­Scotland prop Gavin Kerr while the Worcester scrum-half Matt Powell, 30, is retiring at the end of the season to take up a coaching position with the club. The Gloucester full-back, Iain Balshaw, could become the latest England international to join the exodus to France. The 30-year- old is considering an offer from Biarritz, while the Brive prop, Pierre Capdevielle, is moving to Kingsholm.