British and Irish Lions

The Gloucester winger had been tipped to start for England during their autumn internationals against the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand but will face a race against time to return for the Six Nations.

The 2007/08 Guinness Premiership Player of the Year will have surgery on his ankle after sustaining ligament damage during Gloucester's Heineken Cup defeat against Cardiff last Sunday.

"On behalf of the squad my thoughts are with James," said England team manager and former Lions skipper Martin Johnson.

"The coaching and medical teams from Gloucester and England will be in regular contact with him during his recovery and rehabilitation."

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan reiterated those sentiments: "To lose a player of James's quality is obviously a massive blow to us. He is an outstanding player and central to our attacking threat.

"Considering the other injuries we have across our backline this could not have come at a worse time for us. Naturally, he will get all the support he needs in his recovery process."

The Brumbies pair of Ben Mowen and Christian Leali'ifano will get the chance to follow in the footsteps of their team mates by beating the British & Irish Lions when they make their Qantas Wallaby Test debuts against the tourists in Brisbane on Saturday.

Rob Howley says having George North available for selection is a major plus for the British & Irish Lions as they go in search of the tries he believes will be needed to beat the Qantas Wallabies this Saturday.

Less than four kilometres away from the Suncorp Stadium, venue for the opening Test between the British & Irish Lions and Qantas Wallabies on Saturday, lies the grave of the man who took the starring role in the first international between the two teams in 1899.