That today's game against a Queensland President's XV (kick-off 7.30 p.m. local time, 10.30 a.m. Irish) will be tougher than the opening 116-10 win over Western Australia is undeniable. "I think there'll be no doubt about that," ventured Lions coach Graham Henry. "I think there are 12 Super 12 players playing. There are a lot of young guys who are seen as the future of Queensland rugby who are A team candidates as well, and I would say the quality of the opposition will be much superior to what it was in Perth."

The home side's lock Mike Mitchell commented: "We're definitely on show. I'm sure everyone in our side wants to prove their worth and get into it against a top tour side." Fletcher Dyson will endeavour to use this game as a means of forcing his way into Wallaby calculations.

In part, Townsville's hosting of the Lions is a test case for a putative Super 12 match involving the Queensland Reds next year. To that end, the state's rugby union board will meet in this unofficial capital of northern, tropical Queensland today on the eve of the match and a good crowd at the Dairy Farmers Stadium would help the city's cause no end.

The Dairy Farmers Stadium impressed the Lions squad when they went through their paces there yesterday morning. According to Townsville's rugby union secretary Craig Stack: "It is an international-standard football ground, and our focus is very much on bringing high profile rugby games here. We're after a Super 12 game, and I'd guarantee a sell-out of 33,000 for an Australia-Canada Test next year. For this game a crowd in the region of 20,000 is anticipated."

TEAM SELECTIONS

QUEENSLAND PRESIDENT'S XV: N Williams; D McCallum, J Pelesasa, J Ramsamy, S Barton; S Drahm, B Wakeley; R Tyrell, S Hardman, F Dyson, M Mitchell, R Vedelago, S Fava, J Roe, T McVerry.

LIONS: M Perry (England); D James (Wales), W Greenwood (England), R Henderson (Ireland), J Robinson (England); N Jenkins (Wales), M Dawson (England); T Smith (Scotland), R McBryde (Wales), D Young (capt), J Davidson (Ireland), S Murray (Scotland), C Charvis (Wales), M Corry (England), M Williams (Wales). Replacements: A Healey (England), M Taylor (Wales), D Luger (England), R Hill (England), M O'Kelly (Ireland), J Leonard (England), G Bulloch (Scotland).