British and Irish Lions: Queensland Reds could offer decent test for British and Irish Lions

Captain Sam Warburton will make his Lions debut this weekend

Simon Mail previews this weekend's British and Irish Lions tour match and expects Queensland Reds to put up a bigger test than previous games...

Reds v Lions
Kick-off: Saturday 10.30
TV: Live on Sky Sports 2

It has been a stroll for the British and Irish Lions so far in their two opening matches but it should get somewhat harder in Brisbane against the Queensland Reds. The Lions launched their tour with a 59-8 win over the Barbarians in Hong Kong before thrashing Western Force 69-17 on Wednesday.

Much has been made so far of the weakened line-up fielded by their first Australian opponents and head coach Warren Gatland has admitted they will have to step up their intensity in training if the standard of opposition does not stretch them. With four games remaining until the first Test against Australia, the Lions want to be tested rather than just coast through each warm-up game.

There is reason to believe that the Reds will at least offer something for the Lions to think about this weekend.  The side are currently fourth overall in the Super Rugby table and second in the Australian Conference. The Reds were the champions two years ago and they have the chance to win the competition again this season.

One of the biggest threats to the Lions is Quade Cooper and the mercurial talent will have a point to prove. The controversial fly-half has been left out of the initial Wallabies squad having criticised coach Robbie Deans last year. But there is still a chance he could force his way into the group before the opening Test and a big performance here could do the trick. Cooper warmed up by scoring the winning try in their victory over the Melbourne Rebels last weekend. 

The Lions have shuffled the pack again and skipper Sam Warburton has recovered from his knee injury to make his debut. Owen Farrell gets another opportunity at fly-half and the Saracens star will be expected to keep his discipline after his spat with Schalk Brits last weekend. There is plenty of quality in attack with Stuart Hogg and Alex Cuthbert involved so the team will be be looking to add significantly to the 17 tries already scored in just two games. 

This should be an entertaining clash with the Reds renowned for their width and attacking ability. After an easy opening, the Lions will face their first genuine test of the tour. But it would be foolish to bet against them from winning here. It certainly should not be as one-sided as the previous matches but expect Gatland's team to continue their winning sequence at the Suncorp Stadium.

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Back the Lions to win by more than 12.5 points at 1.68/13

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