Lyons fit again for Wallabies

David Lyons is looking to force his way back into the Australia team after finally recovering from a chronic groin injury.

The Waratahs number eight did not participate in the Wallabies’ tour of Europe after having groin and hernia operations, and his ability to run with ball was something the national team missed during the disastrous campaign.

Lyons admits his memory is tested as to when he felt so fit, and is ready to tackle both the Super 14 season and battle his way back into the Wallabies line-up.

“The last three weeks I’ve felt fitter and quicker than I have for a long time,” Lyons told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I can’t remember the last time I felt this good. Before the operation I always had to get to training an hour before it started just to warm up and it all became a bit of a drag. I wouldn’t be that keen on it all, but now it’s all good again.

“I was disappointed to miss the tour but it has turned out to be a good thing. Now I hope I can stay injury free.”

Recently-sacked Wallabies coach Eddie Jones feels George Smith emerged as a genuine option at number eight on the northern hemisphere tour, but Lyons has devised a strategy to get back into the side.

“George Smith had a good tour,” Lyons said. “But I still have something to offer at number eight as a ball-running forward.

“Now that I’m fully fit again, that will be part of my game I will really be concentrating on. There’s room for a ball-running back-rower in the Wallabies side.

“It’s been a hard slog but I’m starting to come out of it and I’m hoping 2006 will be a really big year for me.

“We’ll be looking to build on what we did last year at the Waratahs and it will be a very important year for the Wallabies too.

“With some of the other guys coming back from injury, there should be some competition for spots in the back row.”