The most security-conscious rugby union team ever to tour Britain arrived in London yesterday after a scare five minutes before their plane touched down in Heathrow.

The 30-strong Australia squad and management were preparing themselves for landing when the right wing of their aeroplane was struck by lightning. The lights flickered on and off and the plane rocked slightly with some briefly having visions of a terrorist attack.

"It gave us a bit of a shake-up," said George Gregan, the new Australian captain. "We were bucking around and there was a bit of a bang and then a bigger buck."

"It was good to get on the ground," said the Australia coach Eddie Jones. "We are on tour in a changed world. We have a very good risk management practice in place to ensure our safety and we are getting on with it."

The Wallabies had considered calling off the seven-match tour because of the bombing raids of Afghanistan and the fear of reprisals in Britain, but they agreed to come after a security firm was hired to look after the players for the six weeks they are away.