Lions coach Graham Henry is confident he his holding a trump card in the form of Austin Healey.

"Healey could be the surprise packet," Henry told the Daily Mail. "A lot of people believe he is the best player in England, in terms of skill and vision. We might need to find a place for him in the Test team.

"From the vibes I'm getting, he would prefer No.10. I don't know what the others might think about that but I'm sure that Austin, with his personality, will stamp himself on the tour."

Speaking of the task ahead to win a place in the starting XV, Healey told the newspaper, "It's going to be a huge challenge to get into the Test team, a challenge I want to be up to. It's been my focus for the season and I'm pleased to have hit peak form."

Where Healey would fit into the side has been a point of discussion for all those with an interest, and the player himself commented, "One day I'll think that I want to play at No.10. Then I come to the conclusion that I've played quite well at No.9. The next day I think, "I hate scrum half, why can't I play wing? I don't have one constant thought."

Healey's contribution to the successful 1997 Lions tour was limited but this time he is determined to make a bigger impression.

"I'm more experienced than four years ago. Last time I admired people in my position rather than thinking I had the capability to be better than them," he told the newspaper. "Now it's a case of who hits form at the right time.

"It's finely balanced between the three. There are things Daws (Matt Dawson)can do that I can't, but not many. There are things Rob (Rob Howley) can do that I can't do and vice versa. It's not your starting position that matters, it's where you end up."