Former Wales scrum-half Rob Howley has been given the clearest indication yet that a place on the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand is his for the taking. Lions coach Clive Woodward revealed that any player will be considered for selection, regardless of whether they are still playing international rugby.
That opens the door for the likes of the 33-year-old Howley and former England skipper Martin Johnson.
"As far as I'm concerned everyone is available," Woodward said.
"The Lions is a one-off with a huge amount of history and it's heartening when you see players like Howley saying they want to go on the tour.
"I'd rather see a player performing for their country but they don't have to."
Howley ended his Wales career two years ago, having won 59 caps, in order to spend more time with his family.
He has won rave reviews since joining Zurich Premiership and European champions Wasps, although he will miss the start of next season after wrist surgery.
But while the year-round demands of Test rugby with Wales proved too much, Howley is keen to add to his two previous Lions tours in 1997 and 2001.
He was first choice scrum-half in the '97 tour to South Africa when a shoulder injury ended his involvement before the Tests.
In 2001 he made the Lions No 9 shirt his own, starting the first two Tests before injury again struck to rule him out of the deciding rubber against Australia.
MMIX
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