HE has never played a senior game of rugby, but prop Sione Kolo is set to be thrown in against the British and Irish Lions after an injury and schedule crisis at the Western Force.

The little-known Kolo will be among the first Australian players to face the Lions.

The 22-year-old has been drafted in by the Force, and will likely come off the bench in Wednesday's match.

A number of the Force front-rowers are either injured or will be rested for the Super Rugby match against the Waratahs five days later.

The Lions have a long and feared scrummaging history, and Kolo is certain to be targeted by his more seasoned opponents.

But Kolo, who plays for Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield, said he would ignore any taunts or physical niggles that the Lions pack may use to disrupt him.

"I'll swallow it, take it and keeping moving on," Kolo told The Sunday Telegraph.

"I can't let the little things interrupt my game and the team's game plan.

"You can't let that stuff affect you. It's a huge task, but I have nothing to lose but to go out and prove myself against the best in the business."

Kolo, who represented Fiji in under-20s, could not have a more daunting introduction to the big time.

His potential front-row rivals from the Lions' touring party include the very best in the business - Wales' Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins, Ireland's Cian Healy and England's Matt Stevens.

"I feel lucky, I am very excited and honoured to receive this opportunity," Kolo said. "I know they are a very strong team with a proud history.

"While I'm humbled at the opportunity, I just have to go out there and do what's best for the team. And that's trying to win up front."

Should he hold his own, Kolo could well attract Super Rugby contract offers, with the Force and Melbourne Rebels known to be keen for his services.

"I'm not going out there to make a statement, but I will definitely grab my chance with both hands to hopefully impress coaching staff for future opportunities," Kolo said.

"My goal is to play Super Rugby and play Test rugby."

Kolo, at 1.90m and 120kg, has shown glimpses of his potential during this season's Shute Shield and has spent time training with the Rebels, although he has been used exclusively as an opposing scrummager at practice sessions.

The Lions, who kicked off their 2013 tour against the Barbarians in Hong Kong last night, will play their first match in front of Australian audiences against the Force in Perth on Wednesday.

Given the Force are fighting to move off the bottom of the Australian conference in Super Rugby, with a visit by the weakened Waratahs approaching next Sunday, coach Michael Foley wants as many of his established stars fit and ready for that showdown against his old club.

NSW could lose as many as 10 of their frontline stars for the game, given they have been called up in the Wallabies' squad which gathers in camp today in Sydney.