THERE'S a foul stench about this Lions tour already.

And it's not the spin doctoring of Alistair Campbell or a Kiwi media intent on inciting their visitors with every stroke of their pens.

Rotorua, venue for tomorrow's Lions' tour opener against the Bay of Plenty Steamers, stinks.

The unpleasant odour emanates from its famous natural spa and hot springs, although it will take more than a stomach-churning smell to put Cardiff's Martyn Williams off his stride.

Williams finds himself alongside Lions veterans Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill in the back row tomorrow and he won't let the putrid air affect his Test place bid.

Many believe that trio form the basis of Sir Clive Woodward's plans for his Test team, although Neil Black - the other member of England's back-row trinity - is waiting in the wings.

"It's a world class unit and I've got some pretty big shoes to fill," admitted Williams.

"Everybody knows about that England back-row and what they have achieved in the game, they've been there and done it for club, country and the Lions.

"Training has been going well and working with Lawrence and Richard has been a real eye-opener, I'm learning all the time."

Woodward has made no secret of his admiration of Williams' performances during the Six Nations but insists only captain Brian O'Driscoll is a certainty for the first Test in Christchurch on June 25.

The rugby knight is in a crusading mood ahead this week - claiming he has some canny tricks up in his arsenal as the tour gathers momentum.

"There would be an element of tactical secrecy in the provincial matches," he said. "If we play like New Zealand think we will, we will come second."

Meanwhile, Matt Dawson has let it be known he won't let Llanelli Scarlets' Dwayne Peel assume the role of first choice scrum-half without a fight.

Peel starts against the Steamers with Dawson, determined to play the role of experienced steady hand, watching from the bench.

"I'll be backing up the selected scrum half, like I always do, but if called upon I'm ready to give 100%," he said. "I've still got the hunger I had on the 1997 Lions tour. It's a different feeling this time because I'm a lot more aware of what it all means. In 1997 it was bit like being a rabbit in the headlights.

"Just playing in a midweek game was the highlight of my career but then Rob Howley unfortunately got injured and I got my chance.

"This time I've come on the tour and I've got that real passion to be the Test scrum half. I know that all four of us scrum-halves will say that, but the agenda is very different from my first Lions tour."

l The Lions tour of New Zealand suffered its first major casualty when Malcolm O'Kelly, the Irish lock, was invalided home following a recurrence of a groin injury.

One man's disappointment is another man's opportunity. O'Kelly will be replaced in the Lions squad by England lock Simon Shaw, who was due to leave London for New Zealand last night.