Sexton and Lions lay down a marker

British & Irish Lions 50 Barbarians 8

The Lions ticked more than a few boxes on Saturday as they trounced the Barbarians 59-8 and by eight tries to one in their opening tour game at Hong Kong Stadium, on a night when temperatures hit 32C and humidity was above 80%, conditions described by captain Paul O’Connell as “close to the most difficult I’ve ever played in”.

Warren Gatland’s squad were due in to cooler Perth with temperatures of 11C on arrival, with Sexton saying: “That will be like winter to us after the last few days.”