Ellis Genge's former Bristol teammate expects the firebrand prop to thrive as the British & Irish Lions' pantomime villain on his return to Brisbane.
The England antagonist's duel with Wallabies tighthead Taniela Tupou was box office viewing on his last visit to Australia in 2022.
He'll come off the bench against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday night and looms as a key figure ahead of the three-Test series that begins at Suncorp Stadium on July 19.
Genge made an emotional English Premiership return to his native Bristol while former Reds and Wallabies back Luke Morahan was at the club.
"He plays pretty emotionally, passionately, all the bravado type of stuff," Morahan told AAP.
"He likes to be that enforcer in the game and would cherish that, to try and come and physically impose himself and will be one to watch.
"He doesn't shy away from it and it's good, it creates a talking point.
"Who's going to be the one that takes it on, head-to-head against him from the Wallabies?"
Genge, a first-time Lion, has already won over teammates with whom he'd previously butted heads at Test level.
“It’s mad how fast you can go from despising people to hanging around to go for a coffee with them," Irish hooker Dan Sheehan told reporters last week.
“It’s probably just that rugby blokes are good blokes, you can turn on the hatred when you want it.
"He’s very real and says it how it is.
"He’s definitely someone that surprises you that he’s not a d***head.”
The Lions' tour began with a 54-7 thumping of the Western Force but coach Andy Farrell, after making 14 changes to his side, said he expected a greater challenge in Brisbane.
Queensland are without Test talents Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Tom Lynagh and Filipo Daugunu but have still named an experienced side littered with Wallaby hopefuls.
Some 50,000 fans are expected for the match, before the Lions head to Sydney to face the NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
