Lions could get replenishments to support Test 23

The British and Irish Lions are preparing to receive an influx of reinforcements ahead of the business end of their New Zealand tour amid accusations from the home media that there are already splits in their squad.

Head coach Warren Gatland has made no secret of the fact he was going to draft in additional players to his already 41-strong group ahead of the Test series with the All Blacks, which starts next Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland.

With midweek games against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Tuesday and the Hurricanes in Wellington on the Tuesday between the first and second Tests, the Lions feel they can better manage their playing resources with extra personnel, thereby protecting the matchday 23 for the first Test from bench detail either side of their date with destiny.