Sean O’Brien cranks up the verbals ahead of decider

Sean O’Brien was happy to admit he was responsible for some of the “verbals” that brought a keen and, he believes, necessary edge to the British & Irish Lions’ final major training session of the 2017 tour.

With a series win over New Zealand in the balance for the first time since 1993 and the opportunity to join the 1971 as the only Lions to complete their mission, the stakes could not have been higher for the flanker and his comrades heading into the third Test at Eden Park this morning.

The unfamiliarity that existed between the players from four separate rugby nations at the outset of this tour has long disappeared, communication in games is less vocal and more instinctive. That also meant when the pressure mounted, tensions rose as the Lions geared up for their date with destiny during the final full-contact session at the QBE Stadium in Auckland’s North Harbour.