Before looking forward to the inaugural Champions Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday, I feel compelled to examine the implications of an announcement last week that attracted minimal attention on this side of the world.

Nine months. Give or take a few days. That was more or less the time Kitch Christie had to fashion a team of world champions when he took over from Ian McIntosh as Springboks coach in October of 1994.

Australia wrapped up a series whitewash over France with a comprehensive 39-13 victory in the third and final Test at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles has "defied science and logic" to be selected to make his Test debut for Australia against France this weekend.

Devin Toner admits today’s clash with Australia feels like a second Ireland debut.

Eoin Reddan will spearhead Ireland’s quicksilver attacking ambition against Australia after winning the nod at scrum-half ahead of British and Irish Lion Conor Murray.

Australia bounced back from their England defeat to record a 50-20 victory over Italy in their second autumn international at the Stadio Olimpico.

Scrum-half Will Genia will return to the starting line-up for Australia’s final Rugby Championship fixture against Argentina in Rosario tomorrow.

Australia captain James Horwill has been included in Ewen McKenzie’s 28-man squad for the Wallabies’ final two matches of the Rugby Championship in South Africa and Argentina.

New Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has no concerns over playmaker Quade Cooper’s ability to perform under pressure ahead of his likely Test return against the All Blacks next month.

Alun-Wyn Jones believes Warren Gatland's "gamble" on Brian O'Driscoll proves the Wales coach can be the man to lead the British and Irish Lions again in four years' time.

Stand-in Lions captain Alun-Wyn Jones was happy to “represent four countries with pride” as the British and Irish Lions hammered Australia 41-16 to take the three-match series 2-1.

By Simon Lewis, Sydney

Before this Test series even began, Australia coach Robbie Deans predicted the contest would come down to a battle of wills between his Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions.

Tommy Bowe wants the British and Irish Lions to batter Australia into submission at ANZ Stadium, drawing on the pain of past failures to triumph in tomorrow’s series decider.

Graham Rowntree has ordered the British and Irish Lions to empty the tanks against Australia tomorrow in what he regards as the biggest match of the players’ lives.

Warren Gatland has come out fighting ahead of the British & Irish Lions’ series decider with Australia, questioning whether the Wallabies can reach the necessary emotional peak for Saturday’s third Test.

Stuart Barnes (Former Lion and Sky Sports analyst)

Australia head coach Robbie Deans insists having captain James Horwill available for the final Test will not give his side an edge but admits his players have received a massive boost after the skipper’s stamping acquittal was upheld.

With Warburton out, if Deans chooses to recall George Smith to the fray, we could see a sizeable shift in that battle at the breakdown.

Australia captain James Horwill watched the Tour de France during a sleepless night spent agonising over whether he would be permitted to lead the Wallabies in Saturday’s series decider against the British and Irish Lions.

The British and Irish Lions are hopeful that Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero will be passed fit for Saturday’s series decider against Australia at ANZ Stadium.

Australia captain James Horwill has responded to an appeal hearing’s decision to clear him to play in Saturday’s deciding Test against the British and Irish Lions by declaring he had been “vindicated”.

Momentum is built on moments, and perhaps the telling one in Australia’s victory in Melbourne came early in the second half when Brian O’Driscoll managed to achieve what the Wallabies had largely failed to do.

Australia 16 British & Irish Lions 15

Jonathan Sexton would have loved the chance to boot the Lions into the history books as the first series winners in 16 years, but despite being denied the opportunity there was nothing but sympathy for the man who was instead handed the kicking duties.

Australia 16 British & Irish Lions 15

Rob Howley today laid bare the levels of bravery and desire that will be required when the British and Irish Lions go for Test series glory against Australia.

Australia captain James Horwill today offered a robust defence during extensive questioning over the stamp that could yet see him suspended for the third Test against the British and Irish Lions.

The way Paul O’Connell shook his hand after the Lions’ first-Test victory in Brisbane on Saturday night, Australia prop Ben Alexander did not imagine the Irishman had just fractured an arm.

Brian O’Driscoll believes Australia captain James Horwill is “a lucky boy” after he was cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions as his citing for stamping was dismissed.

A fractured arm may have sidelined Paul O’Connell from the rest of the Test series with Australia, his place in the second row for Saturday’s second Test going to England’s Geoff Parling, but the British & Irish Lions are desperate to keep their former captain on tour, so important to them is his presence as a leader and mentor.

An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant and ended with his injury-enforced withdrawal from the remainder of the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree today refused to dwell on Paul O’Connell’s tour-ending fractured arm.

It was difficult not to have a degree of sympathy for the Australians on Saturday night.

An arm injury sustained in the first-Test victory over Australia has placed Paul O’Connell’s Lions tour in jeopardy.

Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions after his citing for stamping was dismissed.

Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play the second Test against the British and Irish Lions after his citing for stamping was dismissed.

Where the key battles will be fought.

Australia have picked James O'Connor at fly-half for Saturday's opening Test against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium with Kurtley Beale included on the bench.

Australia have named Tri-Nations winning captain James Horwill as their skipper for the British and Irish Lions Tour.

After two false dawns in terms of competitive opposition, the Lions tourists should finally get a taste of what Australian rugby has to offer at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this morning.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR: