EASTERN PROVINCE yesterday threw down an iron-clad gauntlet to the Lions by naming the intimidating Springbok second row Kobus Wiese in their invitation XV for Saturday's opening tour match in Port Elizabeth.

Hennie Le Roux, the former Test out-half, and Theo Van Rensburg, the experienced Springbok full back, are also in the invitation squad which boasts sufficient players of quality to ensure the Lions are kept fully stretched.

The surprise decision to rope in Wiese, who was heavily disciplined by the South African RFU 21 months ago for punching Derwyn Jones from behind in an international against Wales at Ellis Park, should serve as a clear warning to the Lions that they can expect a torrid afternoon.

Wiese, who is 6ft 6ins and 18st, was fined a record 50,000 rand (£8,500) and banned for a month after his assault put the badly concussed Jones out of the match, paving the way for a comfortable South African win.

It could make for grizzly viewing if Wiese, who has a merited reputation for causing mayhem, decides to mix it with the Lions' forwards who are fully capable of returning the compliment.

The Lions squad may have agreed a professional code of conduct with the management who obviously want to impress South African referees - but their absolute priority will be to make the uncompromising "physical statement" favoured by the manager Fran Cotton.

No doubt the Lions captain and second row Martin Johnson, who can be short-fused himself, will recall that it was a punch by a Transvaal prop that gave him concussion and abruptly ended his interest in England's 1994 tour of South Africa.

Significantly the Lions have named Johnson and Scotland's Rob Wainwright as player representatives on a new four-man disciplinary committee that also includes Cotton and the chief coach Ian McGeechan.

"We've set up the disciplinary committee after consultation with the players but we hope it will never be necessary for it to meet," said Cotton, adding that the 35 players would not be subject to hard and fast regulations and fixed penalties but rather to a general code of conduct.

Meanwhile Paul Grayson, whose place on the tour has been put at risk by a persistent groin muscle injury, took part in yesterday's full contact training session at King's Park.

However, the England out-half has been firmly ruled out of the team for the Eastern Province game which will be announced today. So far Grayson has been unable to take part in the goal kicking practice sessions held by specialist coach Dave Alred.