katie gornall has been assesing teh selection from wellington. the selection from wellington. warren gatland has rolled the dice somewhat with his selection for the second test. he has brought in 0wen farrell and johnny sexton in midfield at the expense of nta which is something of a surprise given that they have not played so far this tournament but warren jacklin says it gives them a different option —— ben teo. changes were cited in the forward pack because thatis cited in the forward pack because that is where when gavin said his side did not match up. the address that by bringing sam warburton into the back row. i think the message is having quite clear from last saturday what we have today. the penalty count has to be in single figures and we have to improve our all—around game that comes from the physicality, breakdown, line—out, scrum, visited our excellent last saturday and i expect we have two pick—up. you give away penalties because new zealand exert pressure and they played extremely well putting us under pressure so it is managing th

our sports correspondent katie gornall is at eden park stadium in aukland. kland is still waking up here, but already we have seen tens of thousands of lions fans descend on the city and they come here more in hope than expectation because this has to be the toughest test in rugby. a team that's just been together a few weeks taking on the world champions in their own back yard, but there is a positivity around this lions side, but whether it will be there come the final whistle is another question. auckland is undergoing a transformation. the lions are coming and what started as a trickle has become a flood. every day it's getting busier. we're like minions walking around here with our red tops on. i hope it's 3—0 to the lions, but i think it will be really tough. the all blacks at eden park, you just don't beat them there. so we might have more chance in wellington, maybe, but i doubt it. after just a few weeks getting to know each other, the lions must now face rugby's toughest test. warren gatland has named an attacking side for the series opener against

our sports correspondent katie gornall is there for us.assed the british and irish lions in auckland, the tour has moved further south here to wellington. will this be where new zealand wrapped up the series or can the lions fight back —— bite back? wellington is where warren gatland's side hoped to get back contract, and as thousands of fans arrived in the city, we asked them if they still had hope for the lions. still optimistic. i think there were enough positives from the first test to save we can just get a bit more intensity and stop them being so clinical as they are, there is still cause for a few more lions roars. we should have been much better. we made a lot of mistakes. at the end of the day, the all blacks are the best and the best team won, sol can't complain. i would question how many of those guys would get in the all blacks team ? many of those guys would get in the all blacks team? that is the question to ask. after saturday i would say none. as the tour itself, i'm sure it will not spoil your enjoyment? no! we drowned ou

katy gornall, bbc news, in hamilton.e surprised to learn that we are on course for the longest heatwave in 20 years, with tomorrow predicted to be the hottestjune day since 1976. for some this may be good news, but for others there are warnings about the temperatures which have reached over 30 degrees celsius. the met office has issued a health warning for those most vulnerable to ensure they keep hydrated and cool. duncan kennedy is in brighton. mid—afternoon. on what is an absolutely fabulous day, notjust here in brighton but across great swathes of the country and thousands of people who are lucky enough to be off work are enjoying it but you are right, it has come with that met office heat wave warning to be very careful. put on lots of protection and also watch out especially for the young and the elderly. in brighton is notjust the temperature shooting up. the town's i360 tower is the new beacon on the beach for this sun—drenched coastline. can i ask you what you think the glorious weather? i'm loving it, it is har

katie gornall, bbc news, auckland. after 45 years in the commentary box. henry blofeld — or blowers — as he's known to his fans described himself at 77 as the last of the old farts and said it's time to hang up his microphone. my dear old things, well, i'm afraid all good things come to an end. i've decided the time is right now to hang up my microphone. you'll have me for three more test matches, i warn you. it's in now to flintoff, flintoff heaves at that, it's over the pavilion! it's an enormous six! my goodness me! you won't see a bigger six in 100 years! i've just seen a crane at lord's actually moving, doing some work. i've seen cranes all round this ground for years, and they've always been still. that big white one there is moving. a moving crane, a yellow helicopter, what more has the day got to offer? it ballooned into the air and fell, dived forward, like a it ballooned into the air and bell dived forward, like a porpoise after a fish and came up with a winner. there's a pigeon. he's come in absolutely on cu

katie gornall has more.f so many families who have opened up their homes, adopting the lions but surely nothing can compare to this story. tell us, take the picture of what happened to you in auckland? before icame happened to you in auckland? before i came out to new zealand, ifound out by guys who were setting up accommodation. i turned up at a by accommodation. i turned up at a rugby club. it was an empty cloud park. i was thinking, this is the wrong place was not the having a committee meeting in the back and thatis committee meeting in the back and that is where i met sandro. she said come in, made a few phone calls. she said, you are not sleeping in the cloud park on your own, you can come and stay at how is. i was told i would have a pleasant surprise. there was a bulldog at the door who jumped all over me and thought that was the surprise. after the cup of tea, two lads walk in and i am still like not twigging. these are two big lads is what i thought. after five minutes, of chatting to them, i was t

squad has had a mixed start to the tour winning two and losing two and our sports correspondent katie gornalld on wednesday evening ahead of their game against the all blacks on saturday. before that, they have to look over their defeat to the islanders in dunedin. —— highlanders. it has been two wins and two defeats. in both of those losses, they had problems with discipline. the captain described the defeat as unacceptable. warren gatland said it was a step backwards. neiljenkins, the coach, denied defeat would have a psychological blow for the players this close to the test. no matter what happens, in winning or defeat, obviously winning is better to follow on with, but sometimes you have to get up from defeat as well. this is easily the toughest it has ever been. it is not three test matches, it is ten. that is how tough this is. you have seen rugby union and how tough they are. for us, it is about keeping ongoing and opportunity. we don't want to get injuries and loss of form. they will keep working on the training field. the good news for the lions is jonathan davies and ross moriarty w

as katie gornall reports. in rugby, the haka is usually reserved for the all blacks.d super rugby still boast eight all blacks. they caught the eye in the first six minutes. after underwhelming in their first match, the lions were much improved. cj stander muscling through. auckland snatched a fortunate half—time lead. sonny bill williams winning the race to touch down, putting his side 12-10 to touch down, putting his side 12—10 ahead. after losing liam williams to the sin bin, warren gatland's site worked hard to regain the lead. the blues were lurking, waiting for the right memory to pounce. west charging for the line, the perfect sucker punch. the lions had one last chance to roll the dice, but could not take it. still plenty of time to improve, but they know this is a match they should have won. jamie vardy has pulled out of the england squad and will miss saturday's world cup qualifier with scotland and the friendly with france next week. (oov) the exact nature of the injury isn't clear — a short statement said he had left the squad as a precaution. gaerth south

our correspondent katie gornall is in wellington looking ahead to the big showdown.he all—importa nt second the all—important second test is just one day away and the all blacks captain seems relaxed about it. most teams would shut themselves away with such a big game on the horizon, but not new zealand. with such a big game on the horizon, but not new zealandlj with such a big game on the horizon, but not new zealand. i think is a good balance to get out and interact with people around the city and take your mind off it. so the players are pretty relaxed but they know they are upfora pretty relaxed but they know they are up for a challenge tomorrow. the all blacks took a grip on the series with a ruthless wind in auckland as the lines found themselves out forced and out thought. there were some encouraging flourishes from warren gatland's side but after all the hype it was a deflating defeat. wellington offers a fresh start for the team and a chance for them to reinvigorate the pack. the coaches gambled with this selection and opted for a change in style. he has mad

test between the british and irish lions kicks off in the morning and our sports correspondent katie gornall is in auckland. these are the headlines they are waking up to in auckland this morning. king of the clashes is how they describe it. it underlines what they describe it. it underlines what the challenge this is for the lions, a team that has been together a few weeks, about to take on the world champions in their own backyard. the received a motivational boost from brian o'driscoll, the legendary irish centre, the four time tourist. his talk was cruelly ended 12 years ago against new zealand in the opening minutes by a controversial tackle. he spoke about what it meant to him to be one of the lions and that will be poignant for the irish test ca pta i n that will be poignant for the irish test captain for this game, peter o'mahony. we spoke to his father yesterday. he described it as mind—boggling. nobody said it would be easier in auckland. there is positivity and momentum about this lions side but whether that is there by the final whistle is another question. england's twenty20 ser

our sports correspondent katie gornall is in wellington.fter the british and irish lions were soundly beaten by the all blacks in auckland things have got heated between the two coaches ahead of the second test in wellington with the all blacks boss steve hansen calling warren gatland predictable and a little bit desperate. it was in response to gatland's comments about new zealand's treatment of their scrum—half conor murray. he thinks murray was unfairly targeted and could have been potentially injured. predictable comments from gatland. two weeks ago it was weak cheated in the scrums, last week it was blocking and now he is saying this. is really disappointing because what he is implying is we are intentionally going out to injure somebody, that's not the case and we have never been like that and as a new zealander i would expect him to know that in the new zealand side it is not about intentionally hurting anybody, it is about playing hard and fair. galland said he would speak to dhahmaan to the referee about it before the second test b

katie gornall, bbc news, wellington.y murray's says he's feeling good despite limping through much of practice three days before he's scheduled to begin the defence of his wimbledon title. he pulled out of his final warm—up match with a a sore hip. the defending champion did manage to work with his coach ivan lendl at the all—england club today. there were some ominous signs as he was clearly moving gingerly but he remains hopeful he'll be fit for monday's first round. so let's look at who murray and the other top players will be facing after the wimbledon draw. murray plays kazakstan qualifier, alexander bublik, on monday. seven—time champion roger federer faces ukraine's alexandr dolgopolov in his opening match. the second seed and three times winner novak djokovic takes on slovakia's martin klizan, and rafael nadal is up against australian john millman. in the women's draw, seven—times winner serena williams will sit out of the tournament as she prepares for the arrival of her first child. world number one angelique k

katie, thank you, katie gornall in auckland.ecided in the third match in cardiff on sunday after the tourists levelled it up at 1—1 with a narrow win by three runs at taunton this evening. it was england's first game there since 1983. our reporter henry moeran was at the ground. it's not often international men's cricket comes to taunton and the 12,000 strong crowd were going to make the most of an exciting day for this part of the cricketing world. england against south africa in the second of 3t20 internationals and it proved a thriller. paddy kilmurray has the story of the day. the last time england played important, coloured kit was revolutionary, 20 of international is outputting a camera on the umpire would be unthinkable. much is new, like tom curran, the second ball in international cricket he delivered, not usually so simple! taunton is a notoriously good place to bat, ab de villiers is notoriously good at batting, boulders head for the hills. new ball leaves, de villiers went next, tom curran returned and got two more,

our sports correspondent katie gornall is in wellington for us. lions fans who turned up here to the westpac stadium, knowing that this is a make or break week for their side. warren gatland's priority was always going to be saturday's second test here against the all blacks, but this is hardly the warm up he would have wanted. the final midweek match of the lions tour, and wellington gave it a sense of occasion. for many of these players, this could be the last time they pull on the famous red jersey. greig laidlaw seized his moment, and when he ran out of options there was his scotland team—mate tommy seymour to finish thejob. the lions kept the scoreboard ticking over, but just before half—time the hurricanes powerfully hit back. several auditions for test places in play, time was running out to impress. george north was a surprise omission last week. will this persuade warren gatland to change his mind? the lions struggled to hold back the hurricanes, but in ian henderson they had a one—man blockade. minutes later, seymour again broke clear to

as katie gornall reports.y, the haka is usually reserved for the all blacks, but auckland blues laid down their own challenge. 0ne auckland blues laid down their own challenge. one of the weaker sides, they still boast eight all blacks. and one caught the eye in the first six minutes. the lions were improved, with cj stander going through. auckland snatched a fortu nate through. auckland snatched a fortunate half time lead. williams touching down to put his side 12—10 ahead. after losing williams to the sin—bin, warren gatland's side worked hard, but blues were waiting for the right moment to pounce and west was sent charging for the line. the perfect sucker punch. the lions had one chance, but couldn't take it. there is time to improve. but they know it is a match they should have won. there is so much strength and depth in this country, i don't think there will be a lot of difference between the super rugby sides and the all blacks. they have been together for seven months and the all blacks are coming toget

number steve hansen this week and things escalated again earlier today. 0ur sports correspondent katie gornalls we re by the all blacks in auckland things were treated between the two coaches ahead of the second test in wellington with the all blacks boss steve hansen collingwood and predictable and a little bit desperate. it was in response to the comments about new zealand's treatments of their scrum—half conor moray. he thinks moray was unfairly targeted and could have been potentially injured. it is predictable comments from gatland, it is disappointing and what he is implying is that we are intentionally going out to injure somebody and that is not the case. we have never been like that and as a new zealander abbot expect him to know that it is not about intentionally trying to hurt anybody, it is about playing hard unfair. gatland city will speak about the rest to the d about it but before that in the lions face the hurricanes in brighton. —— wellington. the starting 15 has been announced. gatland is seeing there are opportunities still there to be grabbed. history is very much against t

katie gornall is with the squad.what with his selection for this second test. bringing in eoin flanagan jonny sexton second test. bringing in eoin flanaganjonny sexton together in the midfield, at the expense of ben te'o. that comes as something as a surprise given sexton and farrell have played together so far this tour. gatland says it gives them a different attacking option. changes we re different attacking option. changes were expected in the foreword pack because that is where gatlin said his side didn't match up to the all blacks in auckland. he has addressed that by bringing in maro itoje and wet wet wet captain sam warburton into the back row. i think the messages have been quite so i think the messages have been quite so since last saturday what we have to do. discipline and penalty count has to be in single figures and we have to improve our all—round game when it comes to break down and line out scrum. new zealand were excellent last saturday and that is where we have to pick up. giving away penalties bec

players to seal a place in saturday's test squad and one or two did their prospects no harm — as katie gornall the heat is always on the lions. for several players this was a last chance to impress. the opportunities were there said warren gatland though the opportunities were there said warren gatland thouthoe marler may have squandered his. his departure to the sin bin forced introduction of scottish prop allan dell. 0ne to the sin bin forced introduction of scottish prop allan dell. one of the controversial late call ups for warren gatland who made quite the impression. after two defeats, a win of any description would do for the midweek clients who just wanted a break. like here through midweek clients who just wanted a break. like here throuthack nowell. in the second tab the lions bully their hosts, a penalty try stretched their lead but there was more thanjust stretched their lead but there was more than just brute force on show. they could do the pretty stuff as well as jack nowell prove. this was becoming a relaxing day trip for the lions, a work—out and then leisurely stroll over. ja

with all the reaction from auckland, here‘s our sports correspondent katie gornall.rd, he a three tricks up its sleeve. we saw elliott davie and liam williams trains year earlier. they are the two surprise selections in the back line ahead of leigh halfpenny and george north who does not even make the match day squad. gatland has also benched his tour captain sam warburton. prior to this, also benched his tour captain sam warburton. priorto this, he also benched his tour captain sam warburton. prior to this, he had been criticised a little bit in new zealand for being a little formulaic and a bit predictable but not this time. he really wants to take the game to the all blacks. we know we have to be courageous coming here, we must be bold and go and play some positive rugby. the things that we have been working on in terms of general staff and our set pieces getting better and stronger from game to game. defensively, we think we have improved and now we need to bring the other elements of the game which is about playing with some flair, taking some risks and being co

after overpowering the british and irish lions in the first test. 30 points to 15 the score, and katie gornallre with momentum but that positivity had all but evaporated at the full—time whistle with the all blacks showing just how dangerous they are from every position. theirfirst dangerous they are from every position. their first try was scored bya position. their first try was scored by a forward charging down and then they added another two tries in the second half through a 20—year—old player who was not even born the last time the all blacks lost year at eden park. the way things are going, that record may never change. as for the lions, the match was not as one—sided as the scoreline suggests. they scored a wonderful in the first half and warren gatlin said afterwards that he is confident they can i announce some mistakes and make this a closely fought series. they nail to make now travel to wellington knowing they need to remain both remaining tests if they are to award a series defeat and i think the all blacks demonstrated here at at eden park, how difficult they are to defeat on ho

our correspondent katie gornall is with the lions.urface. this is how rotorua boys' high welcome back one of their own. for these schoolboys, liam messam is a reminder of the dizzy heights rugby can take you. once the first xv captain, he now has 43 all black caps to his name and will play for the maori all blacks against the lions on saturday. i wouldn't be here today without the school. in the under 15 is, i found my passion for rugby and then i thought, i will do this as a job. with a population ofjust over 4 million people, new zealand really punches above its weight when it comes to rugby. they start them young here, these boys will have begun playing when they are around four years old, and almost all of them grow up dreaming of becoming an all black. so far, nine boys from here have fulfilled that dream, and all along the walls, reminders that the path from rotorua to rugby's elite is a well—trodden one. we are notjust talking about all blacks, i've jsut spotted dylan hartley. funnily enough, he was never an angry man at school

katie gornall reports.eek match of the lions tour and willing to give it a sense of occasion. for many of these players, this could be the last time that the pool on the famous red jersey. great labour seized this moment and when he ran out of options there was a scotland team will tommy seymour to finish the job. the banks kept the scoreboard ticking over but before half—time hurricanes powerfully hit back. but several additions for test places, time was running out to impress. george north was a surprise omission last week, will this persuade warren gatland to change his mind? the line struggled to hold back the hurricanes but in ian henderson we had a one—man blockade. tommy seymour broke again clear to put his side a0 points ahead. surely they could not let it slip from here? the match would turn on one rush of blood to the head. henderson sent to the sin bin and in his absence they are constructs. a flurry of late tries including this one saw the lions morale boosting victory slip from their grasp. thi

katie gornall was watching in auckland.h optimism and momentum, but that had all but evaporated by the final result. this was a sobering defeat for a warren gatland's side, but not as one—sided as the scoreline suggests. they're the team with the hopes of four nations on their shoulders. the lions may be guests in new zealand, but they don't intend to leave empty—handed. recent results have given these fans genuine hope, but no—one thinks it is going to be easy. many here will remember the 2005 series in new zealand, a whitewash the lions would rather forget. once again, this was a tale of underdogs. unfancied by almost everyone at the start of the tour, taking on a fearsome machine. the all blacks just don't do defeat. the lions made a ferocious start, but they faced danger from every angle. a forward on the wing, well, this is new zealand, and this is total rugby. time for the lions to regroup. they stood firm and wriggled from the all blacks‘ grasp. liam williams too fast, too good. one of the greatest lions‘ test tries

katie gornall looks ahead to the first test.orfree. we're young so we are on a real tight budget i would say, so just the ability to have somewhere to stay for the night and not have to break the bank for it, means we can have a much better time. at the end of the day, they're guests in our country, so it seemed like the right thing to do, and it's been a lot of fun, actually. i think it's going to be a 3—0! sorry! to the lions? no, no, to the all blacks. i hope it's not. history is against the lions. this was the last time they tasted success in new zealand, way back in 1971. we haven't beaten them in new zealand since then, in any series. i look back and that was one of the great sort of feats of the lions, no question about that. and it had a profound affect on the lions' kiwi coach. you know, i thought rugby was invented in new zealand growing up. i didn't think the all blacks could ever be beaten, so did have quite an impact on me in 1971 when the lions beat the all blacks in that series. it was the first time that i kind o

our sports correspondent katie gornall reports.for the all blacks but for their special guests the auckland blues lay down the challenge. one of the weaker sides in new zealand's super rugby, they still boast eight all blacks. after underwhelming and the first match, the lions were first improved. cj stanger muscled through. or when snatched a fortu nate through. or when snatched a fortunate half—time lead with sonny boy williams racing through to put his side 12 benat. after losing liam williams to the sin bin, warren gatland track—side worked hard to regain the lead, but the blues were waiting for the right moment to pounds and with minutes left west when charging for the line with a perfect sucker punch. the lions had one last chance to roll the dice but could not take it. there are still plenty of time to improve, but they know that this is a match that they ought to have one. johnnie peacock is one of ten gold medal winners from last year's paralympic games included in the 49—strong british team for next month's world para ath

a formidable record at eden park, and have not lost their in over 20 years. 0ur correspondent katie gornallse all the time. auckland is transported for this one. we pop—up stores appear all over the city. tens of thousands of fans have descended on auckland, as well. one fan described it to me yesterday saying that the fans of the lions are like minions here. they are everywhere. a sea of red. lions fans arejust hoping for everywhere. a sea of red. lions fans are just hoping for it to go their way before the final whistle. talk us way before the final whistle. talk us through the preparation. they've had to convincing wins coming into this. they need the momentum. as i say, new zealand, the all blacks, they haven't lost at eden park says 1984. they have not won a series since 1971. those are some of the statistics against them here. they are an inform side. kieran read, the all blacks captain says that the lions are at the peak of their powers. warren gatland has selected players on form not reputation. they will need to be at the top and again in auckland, because it is the challenge of ut

our sports correspondent katie gornall was watching.four nations on the shoulders. the lions may be guests in new zealand, but they don't intend to leave empty—handed will stop recent results have given these bands genuine hope. but no one thought it would be easy. 0nce genuine hope. but no one thought it would be easy. once again, this was a tale of underdogs. unfancied by almost everyone at the start of the tour and taking almost everyone at the start of the tourand taking on almost everyone at the start of the tour and taking on a fearsome machine. the all blacks just do not do defeat. the lions made a ferocious start. they face danger from every anger “— ferocious start. they face danger from every anger —— angle. this is new zealand and this is total rugby. time for the lives to regroup. we stood firm and then wriggled from the all blacks grass. liam williams, too fast, too good. justifying has surprise selection. finished by bryan, created by many. the all blacks, runs through the tourist defends. mistakes were creeping in and the

tomorrow they face the toughest of tests, playing the maori all blacks in rotorua, from where katie gornalllcome back one of their own. for these schoolboys, liam messam is a reminder of the dizzy heights rugby can take you. once the first xv captain, he now has 43 all black caps to his name and will play for the maori all blacks against the lions on saturday. the whole energy has changed about the country, about them being here, so i'm looking forward to going out there. they are the best in europe. we get to test ourselves against the best opposition in the northern hemisphere. with a population ofjust over 4 million people, new zealand really punches above its weight when it comes to rugby. they start them young here, these boys will have begun playing when they are around four years old, and almost all of them grow up dreaming of becoming an all black. so far, nine boys from here have fulfilled that dream, and all along the walls, reminders that the path from rotorua to rugby's elite is a well—trodden one. we are notjust talking about all blacks, i've jsut spotted dylan hartley. funnily

katie gornall reports.anfran describe it yesterday like the lions fans are like the minions —— one fan described. they come in more hope than expectation. there's a lot of positivity around the lions, the lions fans hope that exists at the final whistle in auckland. it is a huge challenge for them? they've had to convincing wins coming into this and they will need that momentum because new zealand, the all blacks, they haven't lost at eden park since 1994, the lions haven't won a series in new zealand since 1971. those are some of the statistics against them here. they i've form side. kieron reid, the all blacks captain, said the lions are at the peak of their powers —— they are a form side. —— lions. they have been selected by gatlin on form rather than reputation but the lions will need to be on their top form goes there's a huge challenge in front of them lions. —— lions. listened uganda is trying to cope with over 700,000 south sudanese refugees who fled civil war. the government and aid agencies say th

our sports correspondent katie gornall is in auckland.o auckland in new zealand. we are standing on the side of this mountain, overlooking the beautiful capital city, gripped with excitement ahead of the first test. lions arrive here with momentum and have had convincing wins in the last two games, but new zealand have history on their side. you might have been able to see eden park in the distance, and the all blacks have not lost their since 1994, which really does underline that, for the lions, this is the ultimate challenge in rugby. we are under no illusion about how difficult the challenges going to be against the best tea m challenges going to be against the best team in the world, and with their record at home, particularly at eden park since 1984, and it will bea at eden park since 1984, and it will be a step up to anything we have experienced. —— their record since 1994. we are pleased with progress within the team and development has gone on in the last few weeks. as a group of players... we know it will be a massive challenge

our sports correspondent katie gornall is in auckland. auckland is undergoing a transformation. like minions walking around here with red tops on! but some fans have struggled to find an affordable place to stay. until locals came up with a solution. they have opened up their homes forfree. we're young so we are on a real tight budget i would say, so just the ability to have somewhere to stay for the night and not have to break the bank for it, means we can have a much better time. at the end of the day, they're guests in our country, so it seemed like the right thing to do, and it's been a lot of fun, actually. i think it's going to be a 3—0! sorry! to the lions? no, no, to the all blacks. i hope it's not. history is against the lions. this was the last time they tasted success in new zealand, way back in 1971. we haven't beaten them in new zealand since then, in any series. i look back and that was one of the great sort of feats of the lions, no question about that. and it had a profound affect on the lions' kiwi coach. you know, i thought rugby was invented in new zealand gro

on saturday after an injury in training. johnny sexton is likely to fill in. 0ur correspondent katie gornalllacks. in fleed a win. notjust to give them momentum ahead of the first test but also to give them a much—needed boost in morale as well. it won't be easy, though, against the maori all blacks, this is traditionally seen as the fourth test, ominous news for the lions who've already found the going tough here in new zealand and this is a side packed with experience. they have nineall blacks in their team but it is the back line that's really eye catching. it is not going to be easy for the lions, they are going to be without their fly—half 0wen farrell who was named on the bench but now has a thigh injury and faces a race against time to be fit for the first test. that does put a bit of pressure onjohnny sexton who'll wear the number 10 shirt. but it is going to be a big game for sean 0'brien who has a chance it nail down the number 7 shirt with the tour captain sam warburton on the tour captain sam warburton on the bench. all the ingredients for a really exciting game and for the lions

our sports correspondent katie gornall reports.enge. one of the weaker sides in the new zealand's super rugby they still boast eight all blacks including 20—year—old who go your money. after underwhelming in their first match the lions were much improved. cj stander muscled through. but it was auckland who snatched a somewhat fortu nate auckland who snatched a somewhat fortunate half—time lead. sonny bill williams who winning the race to touchdown to put his side 12—10 ahead. after losing liam williams to the sin bin warren gatland's side worked hard to regain lead but the blues were looking, waiting for the right moment to pounce and with minutes left the fly—half was said charging to the line. the lions had one last chance to roll the dice but could not take it. there are still plenty of time to improve but they know this is a match they ought to have one. there is so much strength in depth in this country. i don't think there is much difference between some of the super rugby sides and the all blacks. these guys have been togeth

let's speak now to our sports correspondent katie gornall, who's in auckland.nse of the task that faces the british and irish lions? well, i think if you had to describe it you would say that this was most difficult test in rugby. the team that have only gotten to know each other in the past few weeks come here to face the world champions on their home turf. when you think about the statistics, they are in favour of new zealand. you mentioned eden park, this fortress where the all blacks have not lost since 1994. but for some of the players in the british team were even born. and many think about the fact that lions have not won a series in new zealand since 1971. it is a challenge ahead we have seen tens of thousands of fa ns we have seen tens of thousands of fans arrive here in auckland, some arriving on buses now ahead of the game. i think there is a genuine sense of hope among those fans because of recent results on this tour that they can do something special here. they can achieve history here tonight. i think it is mixed with a dose of realism because, a

our sports correspondent katie gornall was there.tend to leave empty—handed. recent results have given these vans genuine hope, but no one thinks it will be easy. many will remember the 2005 series in new zealand, is whitewash the lions would rather forget. in new zealand, is whitewash the lions would ratherforget. 0nce again this was a tale of underdogs, and fancied by most everyone at the start of the tour, taking on a fearsome machine. the linesman a ferocious start but faced attacks from every angle. a forward on the wing? this is new zealand and this is total rugby. but liam williams was too fast and too good. one of the great lions test tries finished i sean 0'brien, but created by many. the all blacks then ran through the defence as few teams can. the lions were forced to admire new zealand's best at their best. m ista kes new zealand's best at their best. mistakes crept in. this 20—year—old was not even born the last time new zealand lost at eden park, at this rate that might never zealand lost at eden park, at this rate that