Johnson: England stars have Lions hope

Martin Johnson has told England's aspiring Lions they are in the best possible position to capitalise on any injuries in South Africa.

England have supplied nine players to the Lions, who open their tour against a Royal XV in Rustenburg, but that number could increase should injury strike.

Speaking ahead of England's clash with the Barbarians on Saturday, Johnson said: "Guys like Delon [Armitage], Mark Cueto and Steve Borthwick are disappointed as they had every chance of making the original Lions squad. But the Lions haven't even played a game yet and if someone on that tour does get hurt then the best place for guys like Delon to be is with us playing well."

He added: "All of my players are fully concentrated on England. Of course they want to be with the Lions but I know they'll give everything they can for England."

Johnson views the clash against a star-studded Barbarians line-up containing 632 caps as ideal preparation ahead of the two-Test series against Argentina.

"We're going into this match with two tough Tests against Argentina ahead of us," he said.

"The players we have to pick from have been reduced because of the Lions and injuries, but this is an opportunity for us to see some other players who are back or who have missed out on selection.

"It's a good game to have as preparation to play Argentina."

The Barbarians open a series of three matches for England, who host Argentina at Old Trafford a week later before heading to Salta to face the Pumas in the second Test on June 13.