Lions v NSW Waratahs

The British and Irish Lions are hoping to make it five wins in a row, as head coach Warren Gatland names his starting XV for the NSW Waratahs game.

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Lions 'have to improve strong performance' - Gatland

It would be great to remain unbeaten and take that momentum into the 1st Test. However, more importantly we are looking to finalise key playing combinations and strengthen our patterns of play during the next two matches.

This match, the fourth of our lead-up matches in Australia, will assist in this process. To beat the Waratahs we know we have to improve on our strong performance last Saturday against the Reds. This side is more than capable of doing that.

– Warren Gatland, British and Irish Lions head coach

Lions v Waratahs: full team

Here's the full team list for the British and Irish Lions v HSNC NSW Waratahs clash on Saturday in Sydney:

  • Leigh Halfpenny
  • Sean Maitland
  • Jonathan Davies
  • Jamie Roberts
  • Simon Zebo
  • Jonathan Sexton
  • Mike Phillips
  • Mako Vunipola
  • Tom Youngs
  • Adam Jones
  • Alun Wyn Jones
  • Paul O'Connell
  • Tom Croft
  • Sam Warburton - Capt
  • Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Rob Kearney.

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Gatland names his starting XV for Waratahs clash

Warren Gatland sets his sights on continuing unbeaten run Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland is hoping to build on his side's winning record winning streak as he names his starting XV to face the New South Wales Waratahs.

Sam Warburton returns to the captaincy, with Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Adam Jones and Alun Wyn Jones completing the Welsh contingent in the starting line-up. Richard Hibbard and Dan Lydiate are on the bench.

Howley 'generally happy' with Lions performance

Brian O'Driscoll led the Lions today, after Sam Warburton captained them on Saturday. Credit: PA

Rob Howley said the Lions coaching team were "generally happy", after they beat Combined Country 64-0 for a fourth successive victory on the 2013 tour.

The tourists scored six tries in the first half, and four more in a scrappy second 40 minutes.

"I suppose the second half was frustrating. Obviously it's quite dewy but there was probably a few too many handling errors for our liking, particularly in the opposition 22", Howley said. "Obviously to score ten tries we're happy."

Winger George North was replaced at half-time due to a hamstring complaint after scoring twice in the first period, but Howley said it was just a precaution.

"George's hamstring is quite tight so we decided to take him off, not risk him."

Full-time: Combined Country 0-64 Lions

Jonathan Davies scored the final try as the Lions romped to victory in New South Wales. Credit: PA

The Lions added four second-half tries, in a 64-0 thrashing of Combined Country.

Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and Sean O'Brien crossed for Warren Gatland's side after half-time.

Blues and Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny, and Scarlets and Wales centre Jonathan Davies, also scored, and the hosts failed to breach the Lions' defence.

The victory was the Lions' fourth in succession, as they prepare for three Tests against Australia, beginning on Saturday 22 June.

Half-time: Combined Country 0-38 Lions

Alex Cuthbert gave a sign of things to come, with a try after eight minutes. Credit: PA

The British and Irish Lions lead a Combined Country XV 38-0 at half-time, scoring six tries unanswered.

Welsh winger Alex Cuthbert went over first, followed by Conor Murray and Stuart Hogg.

Winger George North crossed for two tries, and his Wales teammate Richard Hibbard also touched down.

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Lions aiming for fourth victory

Alex Cuthbert and Richard Hibbard are among six Welshmen in the starting line-up Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

The British and Irish Lions hope to secure a fourth tour victory today as they take on a a Combined New South Wales-Queensland Country XV. There are six Welshmen in the starting line-up, with a further five on the bench.Kick off is 10.30am BST.

Lions: Sean Maitland, Alex Cuthbert, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, George North; Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray; Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole; Richie Gray, Ian Evans; Sean O'Brien, Justin Tipuric, Jamie Heaslip

Reps: Best, Grant, Stevens, A-W Jones, Faletau; Phillips, Davies, Halfpenny.

Gatland 'very, very happy' with Lions progress

Warren Gatland has enjoyed what he has seen on the Lions tour so far. Credit: PA

Lions head coach Warren Gatland says he is "very, very happy" with the opening phase of this summer's tour of Australia.

The tour party heads south from Brisbane today, after a 22-12 victory over Queensland Reds on Saturday which made it three wins from three so far.

They have three games left before the first Test on 22 June.

The first is tomorrow in Newcastle, near Sydney, against a Combined Country XV.

The Queensland Reds game was "exactly what we wanted", Gatland said. "We would like a couple more lead-in games, and for the first two to be a bit tougher than they were, but that's what happens on tour - you are not dealing with tough teams all the time - we will have to see what Tuesday is like."

"We've been training very hard, and between now and the first Test it will be a case of shortening up so that players are fresh."

O'Driscoll keen on Roberts centre partnership

Brian O'Driscoll says he's looking forward ro renewing his Lions partnership with Jamie Roberts, when the pair run out against a Combined Queensland NSW Country XV on Tuesday. It's the first time the two will have linked up since playing together on the Lions tour to South Africa in 2009.

"Obviously myself and Jamie hit it off really well in South Africa four years ago. We clicked quite early in training and managed to do so in games. So it would be nice to pick up hopefully where we left off in that second test."

Roberts one of six Welsh starters for Lions match

The Wales centre in action for the Lions Credit: PA photo

Wales centre Jamie Roberts will renew his partnership with Brian O'Driscoll when the Lions take on a Combined Queensland-New South Wales Country XV on Tuesday. Alex Cuthbert, George North, Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans, and Justin Tipuric also start, with five Welshmen on the bench.

Lions: Sean Maitland, Alex Cuthbert, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, George North; Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray; Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole; Richie Gray, Ian Evans; Sean O'Brien, Justin Tipuric, Jamie Heaslip

Reps: Best, Grant, Stevens, A-W Jones, Faletau; Phillips, Davies, Halfpenny.

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