British and Irish Lions

Italy forward Silvio Orlando insists he will grab his chance with both hands should he earn his first international cap in the RBS 6 Nations opener against England.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Benetton Treviso, is delighted to be part of John Kirwan's 25-man squad and would relish a place in the the starting XV.
Orlando told www.federugby.it: "I have played for Italy at youth level with other players who have been called by John (Kirwan) - like Simon Picone, Andrea Masi and Matteo Barbini.

"I have no experience with the senior team but I have won the Under-21 Italian Championship with Benetton and took part in the last Under-21 World Cup in South Africa.

"I have been working hard in the gym and on the training ground. I believe you only get one chance and you have to take it."

The Lions of Leicester and Leinster will bring domestic bragging rights with them to tomorrow's farewell dinner after they helped their respective sides to league titles on Saturday.

Assistant coach Graham Rowntree says The British & Irish Lions will have to be fully focussed to avoid a potential banana skin when they face The Barbarians a week today.