Dallaglio boost for Lions

Wasps boss Nigel Melville has given the Lions a boost with the news Lawrence Dallaglio will be fit for this summer's tour to Australia.  

Dallaglio was forced to quit at half-time with a knee injury during Wasps' 36-31 defeat by Bath in the Premiership play-off semi-final at Loftus Road.

But Melville has played down the England star's injury.

"He felt a tweak and decided to come off at half-time. It is nothing serious," said Melville.

Bath booked their place against Leicester in next Sunday's final by outscoring their hosts 6-3 on tries, but had to wait until the final minute of normal time when wing Tom Voyce raced over before they could celebrate a stunning success.

Bath coach Jon Callard conceded that Dallaglio's departure had turned the game, saying: "Psychologically, it was a big boost for us when he went off. Lawrence, Phil Greening and Joe Worsley cut as apart during the first half, and it could have been a lot worse than being 24-7 behind.

"It is massive for us to be going back to Twickenham. To go to a major final is something special."

Callard also admitted that he had considered substituting Voyce at half-time, but added: "He showed a lot of mental strength. I was disappointed with his first-half performance and it was a possibility to substitute him, but I think he developed a lot today on what was a big stage."

Melville believed that poor kicking by his players played into the West Country side's hands.

"We did some silly things and were guilty of kicking the ball too long. Bath have got some fantastic runners, and we kicked to their back three," he said.

"Our undoing was our failure to stop Bath's back three, especially in open space situations. It cost us the game."