AN ultimatum from the Lions in South Africa forced England into releasing Mike Catt before the completion of their Argentinian tour, it was revealed here yesterday.

It is alleged that when the Lions made telephone contact with the England party on Sunday they were told that unless Catt was allowed to leave for South Africa immediately the call would go out instead for Arwel Thomas of Wales.

The England coach Jack RoweIl could barely disguise his bitter disappointment at not retaining Catt for the second and final Test in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

"The England management were told that unless they agreed there and then to release Mike Catt, the Lions would send for Arwel Thomas", said a Rugby Football Union source

"We didn't think it unreasonable for the Lions to wait until this Sunday to invite Catt to join them. We thought that as an Englishman Fran Cotton might understand our predicament and how important Catt was to us.

"The management knew they could not deny Catt the chance to play for the Lions. If Thomas had gone out and done well Catt might never have got the chance again."

The knock-on effect of Catt's departure has been complicated by injuries in the England camp.

Rowell delayed naming his team for the second Test until Thursday to allow the ankle problems of Ade Adebayo and Kevin Yates and Jim Mallinder's groin strain to be properly assessed on arrival back in Buenos Aires last night.

Assuming Mallinder and Adebayo recover they should retain their places at full-back and left wing respectively.

That would hand Gloucester's Mark Mapletoft, a Test debut at out-half.