O’Connell looks to continue Lions pride

PAUL O’CONNELL has watched the un-missable 1997 Living With Lions video many times. And the 2009 British and Irish Lions captain is now on a mission to see his tourists repeat those heroic achievements.

The Lions were written off when they visited South Africa 12 years ago, but victories over the Springboks in Cape Town and Durban secured a stunning Test series triumph.

South Africa will go into battle with the Lions next month as reigning world champions – the same position they held in 1997 – which confirms a huge degree of difficulty facing O’Connell and company.