British and Irish Lions assistant coach Johnny Sexton believes that Finn Russell has evolved into a more “mature” fly half after admitting that he had misconstrued the Scot’s character prior to working with him on this tour.

BRISBANE -- Ireland great and British and Irish Lions assistant Jonny Sexton has defended the "rules and regulations" that have prevented Pete Samu from playing in next week's First Nations-Pasifika game, as a little extra spice was added to the first Test in Brisbane.

For the first time in more than 100 years, no Welshman will be involved when the British and Irish Lions play a Test match.

The British & Irish Lions have rarely been as heavily favoured to win a test as they will be for their opening clash with Australia on Saturday, even if you might not guess it listening to coach Andy Farrell.

The Wallabies are $4.40 outsiders to defeat the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane. There are very good reasons why Australia are at such long odds -- but also some shreds of hope for Australians to cling to.

Andy Farrell’s charges head into the clash in Brisbane as favourites with the bookmakers, but the three-time tourist warns that his former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt will have ploys for the Wallabies to unpick the Lions’ defence.

Of all the moments of reckoning for Welsh rugby since the last World Cup, few have been so bleak as the principality’s failure to produce even a single member of the British and Irish Lions squad here in Brisbane,