Feyi-Waboso waiting in the wings for Lions

IT MIGHT be mid-summer and nearly 11 months into a never-ending season but, as England go to work in Buenos Aires this week ahead of the first Test against Argentina, there should be a spring in their step. History tells us that stuff happens during Home Nations tours in Lions years, it adds an extra frisson to proceedings.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

A young Martin Johnson was minding his own business with England in Vancouver in 1993 when he got the call to replace Wade Dooley in New Zealand and in a flash the young England lock was starting the last two Tests against the All Blacks.

In 1997, no less than four England players who started the summer on tour in Argentina — Mike Catt, Kyran Bracken, Tony Diprose and Nigel Redman — made their way eventually to South Africa, where Catt forced his way into the Test side for the tour finale at Ellis Park. You could hear the chuntering of England coach Jack Rowell from across the South Atlantic as he lost his key players at regular intervals.

In 2001 Martin Corry had just helped England beat one of Canada’s strongest ever sides, in Toronto, when Graham Henry tracked him down and the Leicester back rower was rewarded with two Lions Test caps.

In 2005 it was two Celts who got the call-ups — Ryan Jones and Simon Easterby-and again they both won two caps apiece. Four years later, Tim Payne moved straight from England’s tour of Argentina and in 2013 England were again down there, this time under coach Stuart Lancaster, when Alex Corbisiero’s number came up and he flew to Australia and exerted a great influence on the series. Christian Wade also got the call that summer. And so on.