Lions face historic contest, says Henry

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has started cranking up the hype as Sir Clive Woodward prepares to name the 44 players he believes can win this summer's Test series in New Zealand.

The announcement of the Lions squad next Monday will be covered live in New Zealand and in a bid to ensure the Kiwi public is at boiling point when the tour starts, Henry has made it abundantly clear that history is about to be made.

"I think it's going to be an outstanding series and this country is never going to be the same again," he said. "I think we are in good shape to play them. I don't want to be too upbeat, but I think we will play bloody well."

Woodward's pool of talent is starting to increase as injury worries ease.

Will Greenwood, the England centre, returns after a long lay off with a shoulder injury when he pulls on the Harlequins jersey against London Irish on Saturday.

And Neil Back looks a certainty to tour after impressing in Leicester's destruction of Leinster in the Heineken Cup.