Farrell backing British Lions to roar and rise to Australia

ANDY Farrell has urged his British and Irish Lions to rise to the occasion knowing they enter tomorrow's first Test against Australia as heavy favourites.

- By DUNCAN BECH

Farrell has picked a powerful pack including flankers Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne for the series opener, with Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones forming a potent all-Scotland midfield trio.

Ireland dominate the starting XV with an eight-strong contingent, while England provide four players and Scotland three. For the first time since 1896 there is no Welshman in the squad for a Test against traditional opponents Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.

The Lions were expected to seize the initiative by winning even before bulldozing Australia forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton were ruled out of the Suncorp Stadium showdown by calf injuries on Thursday.

Ranked eighth in the world, the Wallabies are not the force of old, but a chance meeting in Brisbane between former Great Britain rugby league captain Farrell and his old Kangaroos sparring partner Gordon Tallis highlighted Australia's fighting spirit.

"I actually saw him in the street. I went 'Gordy' and he said 'flipping heck!! We had a good 20 minutes in the street and it was good to catch up with him," Farrell said.