Lions face searching Waratahs examination as battle for Test places hots up

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

With three of the four opening fixtures on this tour proving less than competitive, Warren Gatland and his coaches are eager for their players to get as tough an examination of their Test potential as possible against a fired up — if understrength Super Rugby outfit coached by former Leinster boss Michael Cheika.

The series opener against Australia in Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is now just a week away and the Lions’ first visit there seven days ago gave selectors their only really meaningful look so far at the tourists under any sort of pressure as the Queensland Reds took the game to Sam Warburton’s side.