The outlook on
Lawes and Hughes is far less positive, however, with the back-five forwards scheduled to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage this week.
Lawes has emerged as one of the great success stories of the Eddie Jones era, developing from a player who was in danger of failing to realise his potential into a versatile back five forward whose form demands selection.
Lawes reckons he's the man for the job since a 'kick up the bum' from boss Eddie Jones brought him a new hunger.
The two head coaches want live practice against international opposition - and
Lawes reckons it will be a no-holds-barred session.
Second row is a hugely competitive area for the Lions, and
Lawes is pushing hard.
Lawes is charged with getting the tour back on the front foot this morning when he starts for the Lions against Super Rugby champions Hurricanes in the final midweek match.
Lawes (left) was a late withdrawal from Northampton's matches against Montpellier and Gloucester due to bruising on the joint and had effectively been ruled out of the series opener at Twickenham by his director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
Lawes limped off late in the first half with an ankle problem and is now a question mark for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Wales.
Lawes limped off in Northampton's 20-15 win at leaders Saracens yesterday.
Lawes replaces Joe Launchbury in the second row, Vunipola has been chosen ahead of Joe Marler at loosehead prop and Youngs is preferred to Danny Care at scrum-half.
With three warm-up games ahead the squad will eventually be pared down to 31 players, and according to Johnson not even the tried and tested partnership of
Lawes and Launchbury can rest on their laurels.
However, plans to turn the neighbouring snooker hall into studio apartments have now been withdrawn, which Electric owner Tom
Lawes called "democracy in action".
