Perhaps England's most consistent performer - certainly in the back division - since the World Cup, Lewsey's name had long been talked of in rugby circles before he burst to the armchair nation's attention in the 2002-03 season.

Replacing the injured Jason Robinson in the Six Nations clash with Italy, the former Army officer crossed for two tries and was assured enough in defence to force Clive Woodward to shift the Sale man to the wing for the last two matches of the tournament.

And Lewsey ended the World Cup itself wearing No 15 having made the position his own while offering the versatility of an all-round three-quarter.

More recently he has found himself on the wing - his likely starting position for the Lions - yet the adept and determined performer is equally happy in the centres, the position he made his England debut out of in 1998, where his pace and vision are crucial.

The 28-year-old first joined current club Wasps a decade ago and, since a spell at Bristol during his university studies, he has become an integral part of a team that have won the Zurich Championship and Heineken Cup in recent seasons.

As a seasoned international campaigner with experience of three tours of New Zealand, Lewsey will have a key role to play this summer while he could also be a harmonising influence in the camp given his Welsh background (his mother is Welsh and his father half-Welsh).