Farrell's ambitious Lions in touching distance of history

Sailing through Sydney Harbour and out into the Pacific Ocean at this time of year, one might well catch a glimpse of a gentle giant or two making their passage up the east coast of Australia.

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

Each year, an estimated 40,000 or more humpback whales make the long journey up from their feeding grounds near the Antarctic landmass to the warmer waters of Queensland to breed and calve. It is one of nature's great journeys and, supposedly, quite the sight - though a few whale watchers this week have been left disappointed with the massive mammals keeping their heads under water and out of the gathering storms that have battered the Sydney shores.

This weekend, another great mass migration will come to an end. It is tough to place an exact figure on the volume of the sea of red that has again filled the city streets, given the existing British and Irish influence in Sydney, but the travelling fans have come in the hope of history and an expectation that their side will finish the Test series in the right way. More than two months after they first came together at a hotel in Richmond, it is certain that when the British and Irish Lions finally disassemble tomorrow, they will do so with a series won but the goal for this team, set out by Andy Farrell in those embryonic days, has always been 3-0.

“I never think you should shy away from shooting for the stars because you might end up on the moon,” head coach Farrell explained with his squad having made no secret of their ambition. “That’s pretty good as well.