Balshaw has failed to recover from the quadricep tear he suffered in Leeds 20-12 Powergen Cup victory over Bath on April 16.

Cueto will now link up with the Lions for the tour, which departs for New Zealand on May 25.

The Sale Sharks winger was a surprise omission from the original party following a blistering start to his international career which has yielded eight tries in as many appearances.

His elevation to the Lions has ruled him out of England's clash with the Barbarians on May 28 but the 25-year-old will still feature in Sale's European Challenge Cup final against Pau on Saturday.

Cueto said: ''This is brilliant news, although it came as bit of a shock. I was training this morning when (Sale director of rugby) Philippe Saint-Andre came over and passed on the message that I'd been selected.

''It's fantastic and the season couldn't have gone any better for me. I'll still be playing for Sale in the Challenge Cup final on Saturday.''

The news is a bitter blow for Balshaw, who was hoping to banish the memory of a disappointing tour of Australia with the Lions in 2001.

Lions boss Sir Clive Woodward - one of Balshaw's biggest admirers - lamented the World Cup winner's withdrawal but felt Cueto was a worthy replacement.

He said: ''Obviously everyone is extremely disappointed for Iain. He is a terrific player and would have been a great asset to the tour.

''But obviously I'm delighted that we have someone of the calibre of Mark Cueto to call upon.''

Balshaw added: ''I was given the best opportunity to try and get right and it was not to be but that is the nature of sport. I wish Mark good luck for the Tour.''