Healey sparks a fine mess in the Lions' den

Healey's newspaper columns caused uproar in Australia - none more so than his attack on Harrison on the morning of the decisive third Test in Sydney. Harrison starred in Australia's series-clinching 29-23 win.

A Lions disciplinary committee accepted Healey had not written the article but still imposed the fine for tarnishing the side's image - a penalty he deemed a fair cop in his tour diary.

Healey wrote in his book: 'They were my words but they didn't come out of my mouth. Yet the column was my responsibility. I knew there were repercussions.'

He has since refused to acknowledge numerous requests from the Lions committee to pay up.

Healey, who has sat out most of the year with achilles and knee injuries, was included yesterday in a 43-man England squad for World Cup warm-up games in August and September, although 13 further players must be cut after matches against Wales and France (two).

Notable omissions among the backs include Gloucester's Henry Paul, Sale's Charlie Hodgson and Leicester's Tim Stimpson.

Manager Clive Woodward has chosen Paul Grayson, Alex King and Dave Walder to fight out the back-up fly half slot. Flanker Lewis Moody also returns from injury.

Woodward gave hope to absentees when he said: 'There are a couple of players who have an outside chance of making the squad and I will be monitoring them.'

The IB have shown their hand over the new front row replacements law by stripping France of fifth place in the Under 21 World Cup for not having enough reserve props. Their 24-20 win over Wales was overturned.