Sir Clive Woodward's Lions squad will launch their quest to beat New Zealand next summer with a warm-up game at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium against Argentina on May 23.

The fixture is set to be confirmed by the Welsh Rugby Union's chief executive David Moffett today, ensuring a valuable workout for Woodward's side two days before the 70-strong tour party flies to Auckland for an 11-match visit, including three Tests.

Whether the entire Lions playing contingent will be available for selection is open to doubt, because the Heineken Cup final will have taken place in Edinburgh two days previously.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have resisted switching Jonny Wilkinson to inside-centre for tomorrow's visit to Gloucester, with Joe Shaw replacing the injured Mark Mayerhofler instead.