Donal Lenihan tonight fiercely defended the Lions' discipline ahead of a potential powder-keg clash against Australia A in Gosford.

Eddie Jones, the Wallabies' second-string coach, has stood by his controversial comments condemning alleged foul play during last Saturday's encounter between the Lions and Queensland Reds.

In an official Australian Rugby Union news release, Jones said: ``There were a number of incidents off the ball against Queensland that were disappointing.

``Hopefully, the officials will keep a strict eye on this and take the appropriate action.''

But Lions manager Lenihan has launched a stinging counter-attack as the tourists target a fourth successive victory tomorrow in what coach Graham Henry believes will be their toughest examination outside the three-Test series.

``We have watched the video of last Saturday's game, and how we can be accused of causing problems on the field is beyond me. We weren't the aggressors in any way,'' Lenihan said.

``Talk to any player in this squad, and at no stage in the 21 days that we've been together have we ever mentioned taking out the Australians or creating any difficulties at the start of a game.

``There is a neutral referee in charge tomorrow night. Whether the comments are being used to try and influence the referee, I don't know,'' he added.

``Our approach to this match will be exactly the same as it was for the previous three games.

``We are aware of what has been said, and if anything, it has made us even more determined to produce a disciplined performance.''

The independent match commissioner saw nothing to warrant further investigation on Saturday, although referee Stuart Dickinson twice issued warnings following some unsavoury skirmishes.

Jones, who takes over from Rod Macqueen as Wallabies coach later this year and is no stranger to controversy, has certainly succeeded in stoking the fires.

The Lions though, are determined to make it four wins from four against a side containing nine Australian internationals and captained by flanker Phil Waugh, Super 12 player of the season.

Centre Mike Catt will make his belated tour entry, having emerged unscathed from today's final pre-match training session at Manly Oval, and there is also a first appearance for back-row giant Lawrence Dallaglio.

Catt, troubled by a calf strain almost since the Lions arrived in Australia, admitted that regular treatment table sessions and missing repeated training runs had proved incredibly frustrating.

``It has been very hard not being involved in any shape or form,'' said the 52-times capped England centre.

``But injuries occur, and I am back from it now. I will re-assess after tomorrow night it is one step at a time.

``The coaching and management team have been superb. They could have sent me home after a week, I think, but luckily I was able to get through today's training session, and I am just glad to be playing.

``There are still three games before the Tests start, and as we know anything can happen on a Lions tour,'' he added.

``I will just keep quiet and get on with it. If I come out of tomorrow night satisfactorily, then I will be quite happy.''

Lenihan played down fears that Welsh fly-half points machine Neil Jenkins, who took no part in squad kicking practice today, might be struggling with a knee problem.

Jenkins had a poor game against the Queensland President's XV last Tuesday, and resembled a forlorn figure wandering around the Manly Oval today as Matt Perry, Ronan O'Gara and Matt Dawson all went through their place-kicking drills under specialist coach Dave Alred.

``Neil had keyhole surgery before we came out here,'' Lenihan said. ``Over the years, he has been kicking every day, but we are trying to get him to kick less often. He's fine though, and there are absolutely no problems for tomorrow.''

Jason Leonard, meanwhile, has predicted a thrilling race for Lions Test places that will go down to the wire.

The evergreen England prop makes his first start Down Under in tomorrow's clash against Australia A.

And the 91-times capped loosehead is ready to underline his Test credentials following two substitute roles during landslide victories over Western Australia and a Queensland President's XV

Having toured with the 1993 and 1997 Lions, clocking up Test appearances on both trips, 32-year-old Leonard does not intend standing aside in the quest to face Australia on Saturday week, despite challenges from Darren Morris and Tom Smith.

``When there is strong competition for places, it's a very good position to be in,'' said the Harlequins forward.

``You want to give the selectors such a headache, that it makes the tour party all the better for it. In terms of Test places, I think it will go right down to the wire.

``We've trained very hard, but because this is such a short trip, it is something we have had to do,'' he added.

``People have been putting in an awful lot of commitment and hard work, because you cannot be under-prepared to play against a team like Australia.''

The on-going Test team trial continues tomorrow then, with a capacity 20,000 crowd expected at North Power Stadium, home of Northern Eagles rugby league club.

Among those hoping to leave an indelible mark on Henry's thought-process are Leonard, Catt, Dallaglio, centre Will Greenwood, scrum-half Austin Healey and number eight Scott Quinnell.

And Lenihan has admitted that Test selection promises to be a fiendishly-difficult task, adding: ``There isn't one player in the squad who has let us down.''