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Leicester Tigers boys will do us proud in the Lions' first Test

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A proud Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill believes his players can make a big impact for the British & Irish Lions in today's opening Test.

Tom Youngs and Tom Croft both start against Australia this morning, while Ben Youngs, Geoff Parling and Dan Cole are all on the bench.

The only Tigers star missing is Manu Tuilagi, who is recovering from a shoulder injury and would surely have been included in the squad if fit.

The clash in Brisbane (11.05am) will see the five join some of Tigers' greatest names on the list of Lions roll-calls.

The quintet will join the likes of Dean Richards, Tony and Rory Underwood, Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Graham Rowntree, Martin Corry, Austin Healey and Lewis Moody in the long and proud tradition of Tigers who have represented the Lions.

Cockerill said he was proud of the efforts of all his players so soon after an arduous season.

The six left for Hong Kong and Australia only hours after lifting the Premiership trophy.

"Everyone has acquitted themselves well since they got out there and they have all done a good job," said Cockerill. "Tom Croft brings things to the table that other blindside flankers can't, and I am not surprised that he is starting.

"And Tom Youngs has carried on the form that he showed in the domestic season.

"I think the guys who are on the bench will still have a part to play, and their impact in the second half could help swing things the Lions' way.

"Dan Cole's scrummaging is as good as anyone on his day and he has been impressive on this tour so far.

"It will have been a really tough decision between starting Dan or Adam Jones at tight-head prop.

"I think Ben Youngs has shown up well on tour, but his claims will not have been helped by the game against the Brumbies, where the Lions lacked structure.

"Geoff Parling makes a huge difference in the line-out and, when he has not been playing, things have not been working as well.

"His knowledge in there is second to none and his physicality has really shown up well. That will also have been a tight call between him and Alun-Wyn Jones to start."

Cockerill, who returns to work on Monday after his summer holiday, says there is still plenty of time for the Tigers boys not in today's starting XV to make the push up from the bench.

"There are still two Tests to go after this one, so there are plenty more opportunities for the lads that didn't make it this time to get in the starting XV next time," he said.

"But I think the whole series will hinge on the first Test.

"If the Lions can win it, they can go on and win 3-0 with momentum. But, if they lose it, it could be a big ask after a long season in the northern hemisphere."

All 23 of the squad will be charged with getting the Lions off to the perfect start in their bid to win a series for the first time since the 1997 tour of South Africa, 16 years ago.

Since then, the Lions lost 2-1 on their last visit to Australia in 2001, before suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat in New Zealand in 2005.

Pride was restored in 2009 despite a 2-1 defeat from a thrilling and closely-fought series with the Springboks.

But many see this trip against the Wallabies as an ideal chance to end that losing streak.

Leicester Tigers boys will do us proud in the Lions' first Test


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