Lions 2013: Losing Barbarians game 'not an option' 
By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport in Hong Kong The British and Irish Lions kick off their tour on Saturday intent on delivering an early statement to Australia of their ability to win a first Test series since 1997.
The 2013 adventure begins with a contest against the Barbarians in baking Hong Kong, en route to nine matches down under.
Dismissed as "slabs of red meat" in parts of the Australia media, the Lions hope to provide a juicy appetiser in challenging conditions.
"We want to go out and play rugby, and be positive about the way we play," said head coach Warren Gatland. "We will move the ball, we want to score lots of tries. We want to go and show the Australian public what we are capable of.
Continue reading the main story “I wouldn't necessarily expect them to be fantastically in tune but I would expect an intensity that the Barbarians may struggle with” Andy Farrell "But the whole focus is about coming back with a Test series win, and if we need to be pragmatic, then we will do that as well. We feel we have a squad with the ability to play any type of game, whatever conditions are thrown at us."
Eleven players in the starting side at the Hong Kong Stadium will make their Lions debuts as Gatland begins the process of sifting through his options ahead of the three-Test series starting in Brisbane on 22 June.
Asked whether that process, or the outcome, was more important in this opening game however, the New Zealander Gatland was unequivocal: "It is always the outcome."
In other words, despite previously indicating he was prepared to 'drop' a match or two leading up the first Test to ensure they have the right combinations to take on the Wallabies, losing the first game to a makeshift outfit - despite the luminaries at the Barbarians' disposal - is not an option.
The last time the Lions lost their opening match was in 1971, to Queensland on an initial stop-over in Australia. And yet that celebrated squad went on to become the only Lions party to win a series in New Zealand.
They played 26 matches across three months, however. Modern-day tours are short, sharp affairs by comparison where momentum is all-important.
Gatland only effectively has five matches to finalise his best options before that first date with the Wallabies in three weeks. Once he names his side for the final midweek match against ACT Brumbies on 18 June, the die will be cast.
Lions fixture list - Sat 1 June: Barbarians, Hong Kong
- Wed 5 June: Western Force, Perth
- Sat 8 June: Queensland Reds, Brisbane
- Tue 11 June: Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country, Newcastle
- Sat 15 June: New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney
- Tue 18 June: ACT Brumbies, Canberra
- Sat 22 June: Australia, First Test, Brisbane
- Tue 25 June: Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
- Sat 29 June: Australia, Second Test, Melbourne
- Sat 6 July: Australia, Third Test, Sydney
Each player will only have two or three chances at most to stake a claim, and selection for Saturday's match was almost pre-determined given the unavailability until this week of a 15-strong contingent involved in domestic and European finals.
But that has allowed the rest to get on with some intense conditioning work at their pre-tour training camps in Wales and Ireland, which should prove decisive on Saturday.
"I wouldn't necessarily expect them to be fantastically in tune but I would expect an intensity that the Barbarians may struggle with," said assistant coach Andy Farrell on Friday.
While there are bound to some handling errors and teething troubles on their first outing, any unfamiliarity should be partially off-set by having nine Welshmen in the starting XV who have already played a great deal of rugby together.
There will be particular interest in whether Scotland duo Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland can bring their pace and penetrative running to bear on proceedings, and if England fly-half Owen Farrell can recover poise and confidence after a patchy end to the season.
If the Barbarians live up to their celebrated tradition and the game develops into an open, expansive affair, the contrasting skills of England prop Mako Vunipola and Wales flanker Justin Tipuric should also come to the fore.
The British and Irish Lions kick off their tour on Saturday intent on delivering an early statement to Australia of their ability to win a first Test series since 1997.
The 2013 adventure begins with a contest against the Barbarians in baking Hong Kong, en route to nine matches down under.
Dismissed as "slabs of red meat" in parts of the Australia media, the Lions hope to provide a juicy appetiser in challenging conditions.
"We want to go out and play rugby, and be positive about the way we play," said head coach Warren Gatland. "We will move the ball, we want to score lots of tries. We want to go and show the Australian public what we are capable of.
“I wouldn't necessarily expect them to be fantastically in tune but I would expect an intensity that the Barbarians may struggle with” Andy Farrell
"But the whole focus is about coming back with a Test series win, and if we need to be pragmatic, then we will do that as well. We feel we have a squad with the ability to play any type of game, whatever conditions are thrown at us."
Eleven players in the starting side at the Hong Kong Stadium will make their Lions debuts as Gatland begins the process of sifting through his options ahead of the three-Test series starting in Brisbane on 22 June.
Asked whether that process, or the outcome, was more important in this opening game however, the New Zealander Gatland was unequivocal: "It is always the outcome."
In other words, despite previously indicating he was prepared to 'drop' a match or two leading up the first Test to ensure they have the right combinations to take on the Wallabies, losing the first game to a makeshift outfit - despite the luminaries at the Barbarians' disposal - is not an option.
The last time the Lions lost their opening match was in 1971, to Queensland on an initial stop-over in Australia. And yet that celebrated squad went on to become the only Lions party to win a series in New Zealand.
They played 26 matches across three months, however. Modern-day tours are short, sharp affairs by comparison where momentum is all-important.
Gatland only effectively has five matches to finalise his best options before that first date with the Wallabies in three weeks. Once he names his side for the final midweek match against ACT Brumbies on 18 June, the die will be cast.
Lions fixture list
- Sat 1 June: Barbarians, Hong Kong
- Wed 5 June: Western Force, Perth
- Sat 8 June: Queensland Reds, Brisbane
- Tue 11 June: Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country, Newcastle
- Sat 15 June: New South Wales Waratahs, Sydney
- Tue 18 June: ACT Brumbies, Canberra
- Sat 22 June: Australia, First Test, Brisbane
- Tue 25 June: Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne
- Sat 29 June: Australia, Second Test, Melbourne
- Sat 6 July: Australia, Third Test, Sydney
Each player will only have two or three chances at most to stake a claim, and selection for Saturday's match was almost pre-determined given the unavailability until this week of a 15-strong contingent involved in domestic and European finals.
But that has allowed the rest to get on with some intense conditioning work at their pre-tour training camps in Wales and Ireland, which should prove decisive on Saturday.
"I wouldn't necessarily expect them to be fantastically in tune but I would expect an intensity that the Barbarians may struggle with," said assistant coach Andy Farrell on Friday.
While there are bound to some handling errors and teething troubles on their first outing, any unfamiliarity should be partially off-set by having nine Welshmen in the starting XV who have already played a great deal of rugby together.
There will be particular interest in whether Scotland duo Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland can bring their pace and penetrative running to bear on proceedings, and if England fly-half Owen Farrell can recover poise and confidence after a patchy end to the season.
If the Barbarians live up to their celebrated tradition and the game develops into an open, expansive affair, the contrasting skills of England prop Mako Vunipola and Wales flanker Justin Tipuric should also come to the fore.