England flanker Tom Croft collects a pass during a training session in Johannesburg © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Lions name side to face British & Irish Lions

Features: O'Driscoll relishing return to Lions colours

News: O'Driscoll to captain Lions

Players/Officials: Tom Croft

Tournaments/Tours: British and Irish Lions tour

Teams: British and Irish Lions | England

England flanker Tom Croft insists he will not be on a personal quest to justify his selection when he makes his Lions debut on Wednesday night.

The Leicester forward was originally left out of the Lions squad for the tour of South Africa but when Munster flanker Alan Quinlan landed a 12-week ban after being cited for foul play during a Heineken Cup semi-final last month, Croft was drafted in.

He will pull on the famous Lions jersey for the first time at Ellis Park on Wednesday night as the tourists take on their Super 14 namesake in the second game of their tour. But the 23-year-old Croft insists there is no danger of personal ambition over-riding team goals.

"It is about playing my game I have been playing with Leicester and England. I will do my job, as will every other player," he said. "I consider my selection for the party a massive honour. It's not about proving a point or proving why I should be here.

"I've been selected because the coaches think I have something I can contribute, so all I can do is go out on the pitch and do what I do for Leicester and England. You've been picked to come on this tour from the work you have been doing with your club and country.

"The back-row forwards have been training well together. There is a great atmosphere around the camp with all players - the boys want to play for each other. To get a first start really kicks off your tour, personally."

Croft is among 12 changes from the side that defeated a Royal XV 37-25 in Rustenburg two days ago, packing down alongside back-row colleagues David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip. And the Lions know they need to considerably step-up their performance level against Super 14 opposition in front of an anticipated 60,000 capacity crowd.

"Super 14 is seen as the best rugby in the southern hemisphere," added Croft. "And Heineken Cup rugby, in my opinion, is the best rugby in the northern hemisphere. I think the Heineken Cup is easily on a par with it (Super 14).

"It is the coming together of two great competitions, and it should make for a great match on Wednesday. But it is not about proving which is the best competition. It is about the best team on the day and the team that gets the win.

"The first game on Saturday was a bit touch and go, a bit of a shock to the system, but the tour has got to start somewhere and we came out on the right side. Each game we play, we hope to improve in certain areas and build up to the three Tests (against South Africa).

"You go through the basics and focus on what your job is."