British and Irish Lions team manager Andy Irvine has defended Warren Gatland’s decision to take the tourists to a beach resort ahead of the must-win third and final Test against Australia in Sydney.

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland revealed that Alex Corbisiero’s superior scrummaging resulted in his selection ahead of Mako Vunipola for Saturday’s opening Test against Australia.

British and Irish Lions boss Ian McGeechan claimed his team “didn’t deserve” to be 2-0 down after world champions South Africa took Test series glory at Loftus Versfeld.