Grewcock had the toughest job in the post-World Cup England side - proving there was life after Martin Johnson.

Yet it is a measure of not only the Bath man's ability but his personality as well that he has made a good enough fist of it to be a live Test-match contender on this Lions tour.

His enthusiasm and workrate continue to make him a valuable member of both the Bath and England squads and his aggressive nature usually works to his benefit.

It did work against him when he went into history as only the second England player to be sent off, and more recently when he drew plenty of negative publicity for appearing to kick Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel during the Six Nations.

But the simple fact is the giant lock is exactly the sort of player you want on your side not against you, one who will never shy away from confrontation on the field and always fight to win the ball.

He made his England Test debut against Argentina back in 1997 and along with Johnson formed one of the most effective second-row partnerships in the world.

The retirement of the Leicester Tigers man left a gaping hole in England's front five but Grewcock has done his utmost to fill it in his typically abrasive manner.

At his dominant best in the opening Lions Test of 2001 against Australia, Grewcock disappointed thereafter and will be keen to make amends against an All Blacks side that will no doubt attempt to capitalise on his short fuse.