IF YOU are going to watch the pilot episode of the US version of Shameless (Thursday, RTÉ Two, 9.55pm), you’ll need to put all thoughts of the Manchester version out of your head.

In dramatic surroundings, with the sky darkening and steam rising through the volcanic earth, British and Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll and tour manager Bill Beaumont today accepted the traditional Maori challenge.

Almost 22,000 tickets for the British and Irish Lions tour opener against Bay of Plenty next June have been snapped up by New Zealand rugby fans.