Zebo brings a fearless approach to the Lions

Munster wing Simon Zebo will step out for the first time as a British & Irish Lion today having adopted Warren Gatland’s advice to play with a nothing-to-lose attitude with a week to go before the first Test against Australia.

Zebo’s Lions debut, just five days after arriving in Sydney following his call-up as injury cover for Tommy Bowe, will be against the New South Wales Waratahs at Allianz Stadium (10.30am Irish time) and while the 23-year-old is under no illusions about the competition for Test places to face the Wallabies, the Cork man is not fazed by the prospect of forcing his way onto Gatland’s team sheet for the series opener in Brisbane seven days from now.

“Of course. Why not?” Zebo said yesterday after the Lions’ final training session at the North Sydney Oval ahead of today’s game. “It’s a game of rugby. I’m going to go out and do what I do every time I play, and that’s enjoy myself, have fun playing rugby. I reckon if any player goes out and puts their best foot forward and shows what they are able to do, then they have a chance. You never go out to try and have a bad game so if I go out and have a great game, then I’ll surely be in with a shout I’d say. So, happy out.”