British and Irish Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward has promised Scotland forward Simon Taylor a place in next summer's New Zealand tour squad if he can prove his fitness.
The talented youngster has been sidelined with knee and tendon problems but he is looking at a return in March, when his focus will be on making the Lions squad.
Woodward said: I took lessons from 2001 in that they did make a mistake in taking Lawrence Dallaglio when he wasnt fit and went on the trip.
Every player has to be looked at on their own merits and Simon Taylor is an outstanding player and I have no doubts that if he gets back to full fitness he will be on the trip.
I am told he should be back playing by March and he has plenty of time to prove his fitness for the Lions - and there are other players like Richard Hill in the same boat.