British and Irish Lions

White led the Springboks to glory in Paris last month and, though Brian Ashton defied the odds to guide England to the final, his position has been subject to speculation.

White's agent Craig Livingstone told the Sunday Times: "They (England) have been in touch.

"England are busy with the (post-World Cup) review process and then they will make a decision.

"We have expressed an interest and so have they. We've been talking to Rob Andrew (Rugby Football Union director of elite rugby)."

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.