IF THIS was supposed to be a step up in class, then the British & Irish Lions coped with it admirably. They met fire with fire, kept their try-line intact for the first time on tour and strode majestically forward towards next week’s first Test at the same venue.

PETER DE VILLIERS yesterday named two uncapped players in the South Africa squad to face the Lions in a three-match Test series to be played in late June and early July.

South Africa coach Jake White has handed Currie Cup player of the year Kabamba Floors his debut in a rejigged Springboks back row to face England this weekend.

ENGLAND will set a new world record if they beat the struggling Springboks at Twickenham today.

Christian Cullen, the leading try-scorer in New Zealand's Test history, is back at full-back this Saturday's clash with the high-riding French team at the Stade de France in Paris.