Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has told his aspiring British & Irish Lions that the Heineken Cup quarter-final in Toulon next month will be their final trial for selection for the 125th anniversary tour to Hong Kong and Australia.
While admitting his England players returned to club duty bitterly disappointed at failing to clinch a first Grand Slam in a decade, they have all pledged to fight for Lions selection right up to 30 April when Warren Gatland names his squad.
"All our players who have ambitions to go on the Lions tour will have this game in Toulon to showcase their talents. It is going to be massive game for the likes of Ben and Tom Youngs, Manu Tuilagi, Tom Waldrom, Geoff Parling, Dan Coleand Tom Croft," said Cockerill.
"They may have had a tough day at the office in Cardiff in the last round of the championship, but we know all about their talents. They will get back on the horse and prove themselves again.
"And there can't be any bigger game in which for them to do that than against a world class Toulon team. Let's face it, they have two teams good enough to be in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
"But while they will start as firm favourites after the way they motored through their Pool, don't forget that we had to overcome both the Ospreys and Toulouse to reach the last eight. They'll be happy with a home draw, but I'm not so sure they will have been happy with having to play Tigers."
Cockerill's side went to France in Round 1 in the Pool stages and were narrowly beaten by Toulouse. They learned a lot from that defeat and are ready to make amends on their next trip across The Channel.
"We earned the right to go to Toulon and we know it is going to be a massive occasion. Europe brings out the best in Leicester Tigers and we'll be going there to win," added Cockerill.
"We have two very tough Premiership matches, against Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints, to come in the build-up to the game and that should provide us with the intensity we need before stepping back into the Heineken Cup.
"We won't be afraid of going there - in fact, everyone is really excited by the prospect."
