Lions out to hit ground running

The British & Irish Lions open the 2013 tour in the Hong Kong heat today with instructions to hit the ground running and show the ruthlessness and intensity that will be required to defeat Australia this summer.

A tour match against a scratch Barbarians side pummelled by a second-string England side at Twickenham just six days ago may have all the characteristics of a gentle warm-up, particularly given the loose interpretation of a self-imposed booze ban by some of the Baa-Baas in Hong Kong this week.

Regardless of what the opposition bring to the table, Lions defence coach Andy Farrell insists the tourists will be playing at full tilt with just six games to prepare for the first Test against the Wallabies on June 22.