O’Sullivan determined to get his backs up

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN believes his Lions backs are gradually developing an understanding ahead of the tour opener against Bay of Plenty on Saturday.

The Ireland head coach has been handed the task of moulding the 21 backs from four different countries into a fluent offensive unit for the 11 matches in New Zealand.

The size of the challenge was all too apparent when, with very little practice time together, the Lions were undermined by a litany of handling and passing errors during the 25-25 draw with Argentina in Cardiff last week.