The Australia captain George Gregan yesterday made himself available for next month's three-Test tour to Britain and France, but warned he would return home early should the condition of his four-year-old son Max, who was recently diagnosed with epilepsy, deteriorate.

The Wallabies are already without the 102-cap Gregan's deputy, Chris Whitaker, and recalled the Harlequins scrum-half Matt Henjak this week. "Deciding to tour was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make as this has been a trying time for my family," said Gregan. "If the situation with Max gets worse, I will fly back. Chris's injury did not influence me at all, though it is a disappointment not just to him but to the squad."

Australia face England at Twickenham on November 27 and, with the Saracens flanker Richard Hill out for at least six months with a knee injury, Lewis Moody, who has not played in a senior match this year, makes a timely return to the Leicester first-team on Saturday when the Tigers face Calvisano in the Heineken Cup.

The Leicester No8 Martin Corry, who is expected to take over from Lawrence Dallaglio in the England back row, will miss the opening round of the Heineken Cup after being banned for two weeks for dangerous footwork on the Bath captain Jonathan Humphreys 12 days ago, though his colleague George Chuter was suspended for six weeks for stamping on the head of the same player.

Like Moody, the England full-back Iain Balshaw has spent most of the year on the injury list and he will make his first start for Leeds since joining from Bath in the summer when the Tykes face Dean Richards' Grenoble in France on Saturday.