The oldest player in England's 2005 Six Nations squad, the grizzled 34-year-old Leicester prop already has 10 seasons of international rugby behind him.

Yet it is testament to Rowntree's longevity that in a position as physically demanding as prop, he is enjoying something of an Indian summer in both his club and international career.

A member of the Leicester club since joining their youth set-up way back in 1988, he has played over 300 times for the Tigers and made his England debut back in 1995.

Trevor Woodman's presence meant Rowntree went from August 2003 to November 2004 without a Test appearance, and therefore missed out on the World Cup, yet the Sale man's back injury has allowed his rival back in.

The irony of all this is it was Sir Clive Woodward who denied Rowntree his World Cup dream. He admits he does not know to this day whether that was the right decision but he certainly had no hesitation in giving the north easterner a call-up for what will be his second Lions tour.

He ended the 1997 tour of South Africa capless despite being tipped as a Test regular and he will look to use his experience, destructive power at the scrum and unstinting hunger to make amends this time around.