DURING a nine-day excursion to Poland to watch the European Championships in 2012, a tired, bedraggled and exceptionally hungover friend of mine threw himself to the floor on a packed train in an attempt to get some sleep.

ELLIOT Daly has revealed he had written off his own British and Irish Lions Test chances as little as five months ago.

An action-weary Cavan team were put through their paces last night - in the swimming pool.

WARREN Gatland has insisted that captain Sam Warburton remains under pressure to force his way into the British and Irish Lions' first Test line-up.

Rugby Union International: Ireland 50 Japan 22 IRELAND head coach Joe Schmidt has sympathised with Warren Gatland's decision to call up six replacement players as cover for the British and Irish Lions' forthcoming midweek games against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes.

Warren Gatland is expected to draft as many as six extra players onto the British and Irish Lions tour next week.

IRELAND'S preparations for Saturday’s opening Test against Japan have not been ideal, but head coach Joe Schmidt has backed his new-look side to rise to the challenge.

Warren Gatland admitted the British and Irish Lions must quickly fix their creaking scrum after losing the set-piece battle in their defeat to the Highlanders yesterday.

Conor Murray hailed the British and Irish Lions pack for handing him an armchair ride against the Crusaders' All Black tight five on Saturday.

George North believes it is up to the British and Irish Lions players to conjure the magic that boss Warren Gatland is searching for.

WARREN Gatland has admitted centre could pose him the biggest selection conundrum when he finally starts to draw up his British and Irish Lions Test team.

ULSTER will be among the third seeds for this afternoon’s pool stage draw for the 2017/18 European Champions Cup (1.

THE British and Irish Lions must stop "monster" centre Sonny Bill Williams to stand any chance of beating New Zealand, according to Rhys Webb.

Rugby Union: Blues v British & Lions (Wednesday, 8.

Alun Wyn Jones has insisted the British and Irish Lions will laugh off all the brickbats over their punishing schedule and Test series chances in New Zealand.

JARED Payne has been ruled out of the British and Irish Lions' opening tour match against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians due to a calf strain.

IRELAND star Robbie Henshaw will be armed with words of wisdom from former British and Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll when he heads to New Zealand next week.