Leicester include 10 internationals from five countries in their line-up for tomorrow evening's European Cup tie with Leinster at Donnybrook, and despite a brace of Lions on the bench they still have a pride of five Lions in their starting XV.
Eric Miller resumes hostilities against his erstwhile Leinster team-mates alongside four other heroes of the summer in South Africa, Neil Back, Martin Johnson, Graham Rowntree and Will Greenwood. In comparison to Leicester, who retain three of the team beaten 27-10 at home by the same opposition last season, Leicester have eight of that successful side, including the entire tight five.
Of the others, Joel Stransky calls the shots from out-half while Waisele Serevi is the roaming joker in the backs from the right-wing, with South African under-21 full-back Michael Horak lending yet more firepower.
Indeed, the clearest barometer of their strength in depth is that Austin Healy, Dean Richards and onetime Irish international Niall Malone are on the bench alongside New Zealand under-21 international Perry Freshwater.
Leinster, for their part, have made one change to the team originally selected, with Angus McKeen's damaged rib cartilage forcing his withdrawal. Terenure tight-head Peter Bruce comes into the side with Emmet Farrell drafted onto the bench.
A new era of Australian rugby union was launched in Sydney yesterday with the two-year appointment of Rod Macqueen as Wallaby coach. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU), whose managing director John O'Neill advised the beleaguered Greg Smith to quit soon after Australia's record 61-22 humiliation to South Africa last month, is looking to Macqueen to provide a fresh approach.
"The first objective is winning, but the job goes way beyond that," O'Neill said at yesterday's official announcement.
"Rod is a proven leader with the ability to motivate elite athletes. He's also demonstrated the management and organisational skills required of a professional coach in a professional rugby era."
