We want to be the greatest Lions - Earl

BEN Earl has revealed that Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions are aiming for greatness as their tour of Australia approaches the stage that will determine whether it is a success or failure.

- By DUNCAN BECH

A stacked AUNZ Invitational XV, containing 17 Wallabies and All Blacks, provide dangerous final opponents before the Test series begins in Brisbane on July 19.

The Lions have so far dispatched all four Super Rugby franchises, each of them missing the bulk of their Australia stars, with the defeat to Argentina in Dublin that launched the tour the only blemish.

The hectic schedule of four matches in 11 days across four different cities has prevented any serious training from taking place, but Earl insists there can be no excuses in the pursuit of a lofty goal.

"There's a big thing that we've been speaking about - being one of the best Lions teams ever," the England number eight said.