British and Irish Lions

Mike Catt's comeback has been delayed after he failed a fitness test following a Bath training session, casting some doubt on his participation in the RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy.

Fly-half Catt suffered a twinge in his calf muscle and was withdrawn from the team to play in European club action, but could play in the English Premiership against Wasps.

"It has been touch and go with Mike all week. It's disappointing for him but we are hopeful that he will be fit to face Wasps," said Bath coach John Connolly.

Catt is due to be assessed by England's medical staff when he reports for RBS 6 Nations training in Surrey on February 2.

Catt, the key performer in England's World Cup quarter-final victory over Wales, has not played since limping out of Bath's win against Leicester on November 29.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.