Errors in rehearsal are a lesson

The Lions will be able to stabilise their set-piece play tomorrow by using Darren Morris, Keith Wood and Phil Vickery in the front row and their line-out and restart weakness will disappear as Martin Johnson and Danny Grewcock will be paired in the second row and Jonny Wilkinson will take the restart kicks.

The presence of Neil Back in the back row will ensure there is a real battle for that quick ball from the breakdowns and, suddenly, the Lions' cause doesn't seem so hampered by the defeat in Gosford.

You could argue the Lions should start the First Test with the all-England back row of Back, Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill, with Scott Quinnell used as the second-half impact player.

Dallaglio has been given another chance to impress tomorrow and his line-out work is important. I expect to see him produce a big performance against New South Wales, where he will be helped by Johnson and Grewcock up front.

I agree with Graham Henry's choice in midfield, with Will Greenwood selected alongside Brian O'Driscoll.

Australia is still waiting to see the best of O'Driscoll, who travelled from Ireland with a big reputation and is an undoubted talent.

The man who has really impressed me on this tour is Greenwood and now, with the injured Mike Catt out of the squad, he is able to play at inside-centre, the position he holds with Harlequins.

Greenwood is a big man who can be a threat in attack and a solid defender.

He has worked for some time alongside Wilkinson and that will be a key partnership in the Tests.

It's a shame that Catt's injury has forced him to go home because he enjoyed an excellent season with England and has a good kicking game. I am sure he could have pushed for a Test place if fully fit.

For Australia, the performance of the A team was a real bonus and proved there is strength in depth in key positions.

I thought that locks Justin Harrison and Tom Bowman plus the back row of Jim Williams, Phil Waugh and David Lyons were particularly impressive and Manuel Edmonds controlled matters at outside-half.

With Australia captain John Eales talking about retirement, the emergence of Harrison is timely and centre Nathan Grey put himself forward as an alternative to Elton Flatley.

It augurs well for the immediate future and the Wallabies will have a young and powerful squad for their defence of the World Cup in 2003.