The British and Irish Lions will have even "greater confidence" of beating Australia in the first Test after seeing the Wallabies' under-strength line-up, says Ugo Monye.

First Test kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, h2h, odds - Andy Farrell’s tourists head back to Brisbane for first of three huge showdowns with the Wallabies

Tommy Freeman has revealed that his selection in the British and Irish Lions team for the first Test came as timely news to cheer up his mother, who was forced into an Australian hospital after breaking her foot out on tour.

Queen Victoria was on the throne the last time the British and Irish Lions played a Test match without a Welshman and it is a mark how far a proud rugby nation has slipped that this statistical anomaly will be emulated in Brisbane on Saturday.

No more warm-ups, no more rehearsals, it is time for the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Andy Farrell names British and Irish Lions squad to face Australia in first Test; Tom Curry, Sione Tuipulotu start; Owen Farrell, Henry Pollock not in 23; watch first Australia vs Lions Test on Saturd

Andy Farrell admits Jac Morgan was ‘as close as you could imagine’ to being selected in the British & Irish Lions’ starting XV for the opening Test against Australia this weekend.

Andy Farrell has urged his British and Irish Lions to rise to the occasion knowing they enter Saturday’s first Test against Australia as heavy favourites. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Geoff Parling stood alongside John Eales to discuss the significance of the Lions series in front of Australia’s squad ahead of this summer’s tour.