THE strength in depth of Irish rugby will be put to the test at Thomond Park tonight (7.30) when Michael Bradley’s Ireland A squad go into action against Australia A.

Lions centre Rob Henderson today set the scene for a titanic first Test against world champions Australia by declaring: "Collectively, we will have to play the best game of our lives."

The Lions - NSW Waratahs game has just kicked off in Sydney.

Lions manager Dónal Lenihan admitted that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, which effectively cost Ireland three internationals, has not helped the chances of players from these shores.