Sean Fitzpatrick: Lionheart Dallaglio proves he's not finished

I think we might have seen one of the favourites for the Lions test team emerge from the UK this week - and it has nothing to do with the team selected to play against Argentina tomorrow.

In the Zurich Premiership final, Lawrence Dallaglio really stood up and I would say he'd be an early favourite for the No 8 or blindside test berth against the All Blacks.

Dallaglio's team, Wasps, beat Martin Johnson's team, Leicester, and beat them pretty convincingly. Dallaglio was hugely convincing and I know his coach, Warren Gatland, cannot speak highly enough of him. He stepped up to the mark against Leicester.

I see Lawrence around at a lot of different rugby occasions and there is no doubt the mana he carries and the regard in which he is held on and off the field. He will be a big force in this coming series. Dallaglio has been telling anyone who will listen that he is not finished as an international player and is committed to playing for the Lions, even though he did not play the Six Nations this year.

For Martin Johnson, it's been the opposite. He'd decided to let all that go and move on to the next phase in his life. Unfortunately, the final match for the Tigers did not go the way he'd hoped.

Dallaglio had the commitment and Johnson, great player that he was, well, maybe that showed through a little in this particular clash.

I was also interested to see the team that Sir Clive Woodward selected to play the Argentinians. There's not much you can make of the selection in terms of who he is looking at for test spots. Woodward has said he'll use all those not used in this match against Bay of Plenty so that is probably a pointer towards the line-up for the first match.

However, I found myself appreciating the cleverness of what Woodward is doing. It is part of a strong build-up - the like of which the All Blacks will not have.

Some people have said I am bagging the All Blacks by saying things like this. Not at all. I still think the All Blacks will win the series but they have a tough job ahead of them in the first test.

Woodward is being very clever - they will put Argentina under pressure in certain areas and the Argies won't be at full strength because of injuries and because key players are being refused leave to play by their French clubs.

But even if it's not much of a test match, I still rate the cleverness of setting it up. It will be a good run for them. It will help build the unity and culture of the side - which he will need when things start getting tough. It's just another example of Woodward leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to succeed. They are building on the success of the Welsh - even though there are only three Welsh players, No 8 Michael Owen will captain them at the Millennium Stadium. He has chosen to play Jonny Wilkinson - and that will create a positive feel.

I think Woodward will also be looking at Gordon d'Arcy to see how he combines with Wilkinson, as d'Arcy can be a very effective attacker and I think choosing Scotland No 8 Simon Taylor at 6 is an interesting experiment to see how he goes with Lewis Moody at 7.

Graham Henry will be a bit envious of this build-up. However, I am sure he will also be taking a lot of comfort from the form of the Crusaders - their players and their teamwork have been impressive - and of key players in the Hurricanes. The only jarring note is the possible loss of Anton Oliver. There's not many people in the UK upset about that.

I've said this before but Graham will want to attack the Lions in the scrums. They come with a big reputation up front but their front rows have some weaknesses and even look a bit ordinary.

I am sure Anton would have been a big part of his plans. If he doesn't make it for the first test, either Keven Mealamu or Corey Flynn will have the opportunity to do the job.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY