NEWPORT Gwent Dragons number eight Michael Owen has been dramatically called in to the British Lions team to face the Maoris tomorrow.

He is given one final chance to press his claims for a Test place before he flies back on Sunday for the birth of his second child.

Owen will play his second game in four days after a powerful display against Taranaki on Wednesday.

He has been called up as a late replacement for Scotland's Simon Taylor, whowas forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury.

The Wales captain, whowillnot be considered for the next two matches,is competingwith England's Martin Corry and Taylor forthe Test No.8 spot after Lawrence Dallaglio dislocated an ankle last weekend.

Taylor is now facing a race against time to press any claims for a Lions' Test place.

Simon Easterby, called in only last week, takes Owen's original bench spot.

The Lions have three games - against Wellington, Otago and Southland - before the June 25 first Test.

The 38-times capped forward experienced what the Lions termed as "some discomfort" with a hamstring after training, forcing him to pull out.

His situation is depressingly familiar to events on the 2001 Lions' tour, when a knee injury forced him to return home after just one brief substitute's appearance in the opening game against Western Australia.

"Any injury is a concern, but he is getting expert help and hopefully he will be fit for the following week," said Lions' coach Andy Robinson after the tourists arrived in Hamilton from their Auckland base.

Taylor said: "It has been hard. When you are injured, you don't think about anything else apart from how miserable you are."

Taylor's situation will continue to be monitored over the next few days, and although the Lions have plenty of cover in the back-row positions, Owen, for one, will not be available to face Wellington.

He will make a flying visit home on Sunday to be with his pregnant wife, Lucy, before returning to join the tour party.