Rob Howley believes the Lions can reap huge benefits from England's emergence as one of world rugby's super-powers.

Wales scrum-half Howley lines up alongside England record-breaker Jonny Wilkinson when the Lions begin serious business against Super 12 semi-finalists Queensland Reds at Ballymore tomorrow.

Coach Graham Henry fields eight Englishmen, including tour debuts for Wilkinson and captain Martin Johnson, in a Test-strength side.

And Howley has witnessed first-hand the confidence exuded by players whose scalps last season included Tri-Nations giants Australia and South Africa.

``The biggest thing I have noticed out here is how confident the England players are,'' he said. ``They've got that winning attitude and experience, having been there and beaten teams like Australia.

``They are brimming with confidence, and I have no doubt that it will rub off on the Celts in this squad.''

Howley will take a giant stride towards Lions Test status - an honour cruelly denied him by injury in South Africa four years ago - if he can run the show with Wilkinson and steer the tourists to victory.

But it won't be easy, even though the Reds are without their injured Wallabies World Cup-winning captain John Eales through an Achilles' tendon problem, star wing Ben Tune and full-back Chris Latham.

The Reds, skippered by centre Daniel Herbert, still include more than half-a-dozen internationals, and should be roared on by something approaching a capacity 24,000 crowd.

After destroying both Western Australia and a Queensland President's XV though, the Lions are braced for a huge increase in intensity between now and the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on June 30.

After Queensland, they tackle Australia A and New South Wales - an eight-day spell when Henry's Test team will take shape.

``We've had two big wins to start the tour, but a statement has to be made now against the first Super 12 side we face,'' Howley added. ``It will be a big step up for us against a team containing several Wallabies, but we are ready for the challenge.

``The Lions selectors have picked a strong team, and some people might think it is a trial run for the Test side, yet if I have any ideas like that,
especially in my position, then I am going to come unstuck.

``Both Matt (Dawson) and Austin (Healey) are playing so well, and I have just got to concentrate on making the most of every opportunity.''

Howley is relishing the prospect of partnering Wilkinson, the only England player to have amassed more than 400 Test points and now a key Lion within Henry's overall Test series strategy.

``Things have gone really well in training,'' he said. ``Jonny is a very quiet person off the field, but his communication on the field is superb. He's a quality player who has been the fulcrum of the England side for two years since he first got capped.''

While Howley looks to be narrowly ahead in the scrum-half battle, rivalry for Test places is similarly keen elsewhere.

Welsh wing Dafydd James, whose creative approach play impressed Henry against the President's XV, can put down a marker tomorrow, while in-form centre Rob Henderson joins forces with his regular Ireland midfield partner Brian O'Driscoll, knowing he could steal a march on both Will Greenwood and injury-hit Mike Catt.

The Test pack, assuming Keith Wood, Phil Vickery, Johnson and Scott Quinnell are certainties, is already forming, and England lock Danny Grewcock might well join that quartet if he produces the dynamic performance of which he is capable.

After some gentle sparring in Perth last week, followed by a somewhat tougher Townsville work-out three days ago, the Lions know that it's the real deal from here on in, and how they respond will be fascinating.

Reds coach Mark McBain, meanwhile, has dropped full-back Nathan Williams and replacement fly-half Shane Drahm from the Queensland 22 for tomorrow's clash.

Both players have paid with their places after returning from a Townsville nightclub well into the early hours following the Lions' 83-6 victory over the President's XV on Tuesday.

Williams and Drahm featured in the game, but were punished after bumping into McBain, who was leaving the team hotel for the airport and a dawn flight back to Brisbane.

``Nathan disregarded a specific request to look after himself, and Shane should have known better. It's crazy stuff,'' McBain said.

Promising 19-year-old full-back Michael Tabrett takes over from Williams, with Andrew Scotney drafted on to the bench instead of Drahm.