Skrela was a doubt with a rib injury sustained in last weekend's 42-10 victory over Brive in the Top 14. But he has proved his fitness and is likely to fill the No.10 jersey for the French champions at the Millennium Stadium.

Les Bleus full-back Clement Poitrenaud is fit after adductor problems and France prop Benoit Lecouls has recovered from a shoulder complaint, but fellow front-row forward Jean-Baptiste Poux (neck) will not make the trip.

"At this stage of my career I am really enjoying my footy and keen to continue playing rugby for the Crusaders and the All Blacks," said Thorn. "

The 34-year-old dual code international joins a key group of senior players who have committed their services to New Zealand including All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Keven Mealamu, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Andrew Hore.

Nick Evans (Harlequins and New Zealand), Doug Howlett (Munster and New Zealand), Justin Harrison (Bath and Australia), Luke McAlister (Sale Sharks and New Zealand) and Seilala Mapusua (London Irish and Samoa) will play against England before Martin Johnson's squad travel to play Argentina at Old Trafford on June 6 and The Pumas again in Salta, Argentina on June 13.

The players will be joined by five other legends of the game who were announced at the end of last month, Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers and England), Serge Betsen (London Wasps and France), Jerry Collins (Toulon and New Zealand), Justin Marshall (Saracens and New Zealand) and Rocky Elsom (Leinster and Australia).

In addition to the deal with SKY NZ, RWCL will look to licence simultaneous free-to-air broadcast in New Zealand of up to 16 matches, including the opening match and knock-out matches. The National Business Review reports that Sky is set to make around NZ$3 million in profit from its deal, despite predicted costs of around NZ$15 million.

McCaw ran freely at training on Thursday and will be further assessed when the team arrives in South Africa ahead of their three-match schedule but is in line to face the table-topping Sharks at Durban on April 18.

"From everything we've been told he's good to go next week. It's not so much about the physicality but it's the turning. His straight-line running is fine, it's just the turning and stepping," said coach Todd Blackadder.

The ban rules him out of Leinster's Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Harlequins on Sunday but the province have lodged an appeal that will be heard on Friday.

"We know what Olly wants and we won't stand in his way," Chairman Tom Walkinshaw told the Daily Mirror newspaper. "He's not that happy in the Gloucester area. I think he wants to be around Bath."

South African newspaper Die Burger believes that the match will not take place due to logistical issues. The match was being lined up in June as part of the Springbok's preparations for the visit of the British & Irish Lions. Their only confirmed warm-up match is between a South African XV and a Namibian Invitational side in Windhoek on May 29.

Bursaries to help elite young players continue their higher education while developing their rugby skills are to be named after Vernon Pugh and Keith Rowlands.