ERIC MILLER, the youngest player on the Lions tour of South Africa at 21, begins his challenge for a Test place when the tourists get down to serious work in Durban today.

Miller earned his first cap for Ireland in January and has relegated England's most popular player, Dean Richards, to the Leicester bench.

"It was flattering to replace such a unique player as Dean but I believe that I am unique in my own style," said Miller. "It has been an amazing season and obviously I need to believe that I can go further by adding Lions caps to my four Ireland internationals."

Miller has everything, required in a Test number eight - and more. When Leicester require a left footed kick from a penalty to touch they have recently been calling up Miller. This is an unexpected compliment since Leicester have one of the greatest kickers in the modern game in Joel Stransky.

"If I accept that Eric can do the job better than me then that says much for his amazing footballing talent," said Stransky.

"You don't often get a back row forward who can kick like a standoff, but in Leicester we have two because Neil Back can kick long touches when necessary."

Miller is competing against the heavily experienced Scott Quinnell and Tim Rodber for the number eight place on the tour, which starts on Saturday in the buildup to the Tests which take place on three consecutive weekends from June 21st.

Lions manager Fran Cotton will reveal his hand about who are the frontrunners for the Test places when the team for the opening game against an Eastern Province side on Saturday is revealed.