Toughest match yet for the Lions

The British and Irish Lions will face their toughest test of their tour of Australia so far when they take on the Super 12 team, the Queensland Reds today.

The Lions have already had two comfortable wins as a warm up to the upcoming test series against the current world champions, Australia and this will serve as their biggest game yet.

The importance of the match is reflected by the fact that Lions coach, Graham Henry has chosen a team that is believed to be close to the one he will pick for the first test game.

Although the Queensland Reds side will be missing some of their biggest

stars because of injury, including Australia's captain John Eales, they

can still field several internationals such as Daniel Herbert and the Kefu

brothers.

Keith Wood, Rob Henderson and Brian O'Driscoll will all start for the Lions and it is seen as a major chance for Henderson to stake his claim for a test place as a partner for his international colleague, O'Driscoll in midfield.

The Lions will also feature the team captain, Martin Johnson and out-half,

Jonny Wilkinson for the first time in a venue that has seen many other touring

sides falter before.

A crowd of 24,000 are expected to be at the Ballymore stadium for the game.

The Lions team in full is: Balshaw, James, O'Driscoll, Henderson, Luger, Wilkinson, Howley, Smith, Wood, Vickery, Johnson, Grewcock, Hill, Back and Corry.