British and Irish Lions

Barkley, viewed by many judges as the man to fill England's number 12 shirt, has been sidelined since suffering a thumb injury when Bath were beaten by European Cup opponents Leinster in late January.

He subsequently underwent surgery - and although England still have two Six Nations games left, against France in Paris on March 12 and Ireland at Twickenham six days later, Barkley is battling the clock.

"Olly had the pins out on Tuesday," Bath coach Brian Ashton said.

"I think the operation has been successful - so it is going to be two or three weeks, I believe, before he is fit and available for selection."

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.

Check out the video from the day the HSBC Cubs met The British & Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan in a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.