British and Irish Lions

Northampton wing Cohen and Saints hooker Thompson have both opted to rest in preparation for next season.

The pair, who boast exactly 100 caps between them, are set to join a prominent list of absentees Down Under when England face Australia in Sydney on June 10 and Melbourne a week later.

Fellow Lions Josh Lewsey and lock Simon Shaw could also miss the trip, with Lions number eight and England captain Martin Corry another possible non-starter as head coach Andy Robinson identifies those players requiring essential rest and recuperation.

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.