Martin Corry touched down in Australia today after a grueling 24-hour journey from Canada, after being recruited to step in for the injured Simon Taylor.
Life with the Lions began for Corry with coach Graham Henry telling him he had been selected to start next Tuesday's second tour match againsta Queensland President's XV.
Leicester and England forward Corry was still in the air, heading for Townsville from Vancouver, via Honolulu, Sydney and Brisbane, when Lionsmanager Donal Lenihan announced a team showing 14 changes from last week's record 116-10 victory over Western Australia.
But 27-year-old Corry has no qualms about stepping straight into the lion's den.
"Physically, I feel fine - I am match-fit and raring to go," he said. "Playing for the Lions, you are going to be on adrenalin anyway, so tirednesswon't be an issue.
Corry, though, sympathised with Taylor, whose tour came to a shattering end after just 40 minutes' competitive action when he suffered medialand cruciate knee ligament damage playing against the Western Australian amateurs in Perth.
"You always feel for guys who get injured, and it is kind of disappointing to prosper from someone else's misfortune.
"I am absolutely gutted for Simon because I know how much Lions selection means to me, and I am sure it was exactly the same with Simon. Toget it taken away in the first game is a real cruel blow."
Corry admitted that things had moved at "100 miles per hour" since England boss Clive Woodward told him two days ago his services were requiredby the Lions.
Woodward subsequently claimed the Lions had panicked in requesting Corry to leave a day before England's second Test appointment withCanada, a suggestion dismissed by Lions manager Donal Lenihan.
"I think Clive's had the franchise on panic," said Lenihan, in response to questions about the Corry SOS, which was sent before hospital tests wereconducted on Taylor.
"By one a.m yesterday, we asked if Martin could be put on a plane straight away. We couldn't get an MRI scan done on Simon's knee until later in themorning, when it confirmed our initial diagnosis.
"I think we were justified in getting Martin out here as quickly as possible, and we are very grateful to England."
Woodward though, still believes the Lions were too hasty, repeating his opinion following yesterday’s 59-20 triumph against Canada, when SteveWhite-Cooper took Corry's back-row place.
"I have matured as a coach, and I know you can lose players at 24 hours' notice through sickness or injury, yet I still think the Lions made thewrong decision," Woodward said.
"I wish Martin all the best, but he should have been allowed to play."
Corry, whose vast majority of 22 England caps have been collected as a substitute - the fourth man behind illustrious back-row trio Richard Hill,Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio - will pack down in Lions colours at number eight.
"From Woody's point of view, we had a good week's preparation for an important second Test against Canada, so it is then very hard on Fridaymorning to have your plans somewhat disrupted," added Corry.
"Clive wished me all the best and said he was sorry to see me go, but he said if the Lions wanted me, then he'd release me straight away.
"This is the pinnacle of my career, and as soon as the opportunity came, I was always going to jump at it."
Provided he lasts the full tour, Corry will return home just 10 days before his wedding on July 28th in Bury St Edmonds, but admitted: "It's a blessingthat I can now cancel all the stag-dos that had been arranged!"
Corry's appearance swelled the Lions squad total to 38. He arrived 24 hours after Scotland hooker Gordon Bulloch, who was summoned as coverfor Phil Greening, another knee injury victim.
Greening is expected to be sidelined for at least another fortnight, and will undergo intensive treatment this week, so Bulloch features among thereplacements on Tuesday, with Robin McBryde starting.
Bulloch travelled from Colorado, where he had been on holiday, a journey Down Under that took him to Los Angeles, Auckland, Brisbane and finallyTownsville.
"I was disappointed not to make the initial Lions squad, but that's all in the past now," he said. "I am really looking forward to Tuesday, andphysically, I feel fine." -PA