Dallaglio in Lions team

Lawrence Dallaglio will make his first appearance of the Lions tour against Australia A in Gosford on Tuesday.  

The former England captain has not played since suffering a knee injury during Wasps' Premiership play-off semi-final defeat against Bath six weeks ago, a setback which initially raised doubts about his tour prospects.

But the back row giant has been in full training for some time, and now has the chance to announce his Test claims before the Lions tackle Australia in Brisbane on Saturday week.

Dallaglio's England colleague Mike Catt, who has been troubled by a calf strain, has also been selected for his first start Down Under, subject to proving his fitness in training on Monday.

England pair Austin Healey and Jason Leonard are two other players relishing their first starts as coach Graham Henry has made 15 changes from the side that swamped Queensland 42-8 yesterday.

Wales prop David Young will captain the Lions for what Henry believes will be the tourists' toughest encounter outside the three-Test series.