IRB Rugby Aid, Sat 5 March Grandstand, BBC1, 1400, and live on this website

The in-form Leicester centre, 22, is relishing the chance to play against New Zealand captain Tana Umaga.

"Tana Umaga was one of my idols when I was younger. A good performance could help me in several ways," said Smith.

"It's an opportunity for England coach Andy Robinson to see me in a step up from the Zurich Premiership."

Smith added: "It's also an opportunity to show the Lions management what I've got."

Many observers felt Smith was unlucky not to make the England side at the start of the 2005 Six Nations.

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He missed out as first Mathew Tait and then Olly Barkley were drafted into the side.

But after some fine displays for Leicester, Smith was called into the match squad for the game against Ireland, although he did not make it off the bench.

"I wasn't selected for the first couple of matches but while they were going on I played reasonably well for Leicester and the England A side in the win over France so I got put on the bench against Ireland," said Smith.

"The way the match panned out I didn't get on, so in that sense it is a little frustrating, but no-one can say I did anything wrong."

Smith is one of the players Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, who is in charge of the Northern Hemisphere side, will be taking a special interest in.