So far, the Lions have swept aside all four Super Rugby sides, each missing a number of their Australian stars, with the opening loss to Argentina in Dublin the only setback on an otherwise impressive tour.

When the British and Irish Lions make the long trek south they are invariably underdogs, innocents abroad. Often they face a recent world

Joe Schmidt has made the call to bring in experienced flyhalf James O'Connor following the eleventh hour loss of Noah Lolesio for the British & Irish Lions - and if anyone is more surprised about the call, it is O'Connor himself.

O’Connor was named by Australia coach Joe Schmidt in a live selection press conference in Brisbane on Friday, ahead of next Saturday's first Test at Suncorp Stadium. The 35-year-old was called into the squad to replace Noah Lolesio, who was ruled out after undergoing neck surgery earlier in the week.

Controversial mid-tour replacement Owen Farrell is in the reserves of the British and Irish Lions side playing an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday.