Healey targeted Australia, Australian males and the weather as well as a personal blast at Aussie Justin Harrison, whom he labelled a "plod" and a "plank".

His outburst came just a fortnight after scrum-half Matt Dawson was carpeted for blasting the Lions coaching staff and training regime, also in print.

A four-figure fine is the course of action Healey can expect from Home Unions chiefs, although he was not around to face any music on Sunday, having been among the first batch of players to leave Australia.

"I am amazed that a Lion in the group would give the opposition the ammunition they required to prepare for the game," said Henry.

"It was a built-in team talk for Rod Macqueen (Wallabies coach) and the Australian team.

"I am not sure what Austin thought - he possibly thought it would knock them (Australia) off their equilibrium. But knowing the Australian animal like I do, it was ideal ammunition.

"I was amazed that anyone could have written that," he added.

And in a general observation on players writing controversial columns, Henry added: "I am disappointed that those things occurred. There was a system in place that they shouldn't occur, but it obviously didn't work.

"I believe the team comes first and I believe that by criticising people in that group, you are not doing what you should be doing."

Healey, whose comments appeared in The Guardian newspaper, predictably received some fierce flak from furious Australians.

"He is just a child, just so incredibly immature," former Wallabies Test captain Nick Farr-Jones told The Sun-Herald newspaper.

"What he said was outrageous. I cannot imagine his motivation for such an attack. It doesn't deserve a response, but I think we have to because he is so immature."

And Simon Poidevin, another Australian rugby great, added: "Australian Customs have a lot to answer for letting this bloke into the country."