English pair may get Lions call

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Leicester flanker Croft is the red-hot favourite to replace Munster forward Alan Quinlan, whose Lions hopes have been destroyed by his own indiscipline.

And London Irish back Armitage is strongly-fancied for the midfield vacancy created by Wales star Tom Shanklin's shoulder injury.

Croft and Armitage will be in opposition when Leicester and Irish contest this season's Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday.

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has yet to announce replacements for Quinlan - who is now serving a 12-week ban - or Shanklin.

McGeechan's squad assemble in Surrey next Monday, prior to leaving for Johannesburg on May 24.

England's initial representation among the 37-man party was eight, but both Croft and Armitage are thought to be closing in on call-ups.

Munster flanker Quinlan was found guilty of making contact with the eye area of Leinster skipper Leo Cullen during a Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park on May 2.

Quinlan's suspension means he is sidelined until September 10 - more than two months after the Lions tour ends. Rugby's summer-off season is not included in the period he cannot play.

The 27-times capped Ireland international has a right of appeal, but as things stand he follows Shanklin and scrum-half Tomas O'Leary (ankle injury) in making a premature exit.