Rugby: Foot-and-mouth cost Irish lads - Lenihan

Lions manager Dónal Lenihan admitted that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, which effectively cost Ireland three internationals, has not helped the chances of players from these shores.

Lions manager Dónal Lenihan admitted that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, which effectively cost Ireland three internationals, did not helped the chances of players from these shores.

"If you are to be totally honest, the fact they were out of the representative scene for three months wasn’t a plus.

"They have not been in a position to show their best wares but at least we have the autumn internationals to assess them.

"It was unfortunate that young guys like John Hayes and Peter Wallace didn’t have many chances to show themselves."

Lenihan also said that the itinerary of the tour, which builds up from its initial start in Perth, to three Tests in successive weeks, should help the Lions maintain their unbeaten record against Australia.

"It was hugely important that the travel between games and opposition gave us sufficient challenge to put a test team together," he said.

"Our first two games will have an opportunity to play every member of the squad.

"Then it steps up against the Super 12 teams and Australia A. That is the week for players to launch their challenge for the test side. The competition for places is going to be very strong."

Lions coach Graham Henry admitted that Australia will provide the ultimate challenge for his team.

Just as in 1997, the Lions face the current world champions, with the Wallabies also holding the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup crowns, although they were beaten by Clive Woodward’s England in November.

"They are the number one sporting nation in the world, have a very good culture and a huge number of young people playing sport.

"They have a wide range of sports they are very good at and have developed an attitude through the culture of the country, they want to be the best.

"They have tremendous self-belief and very good competition in Sydney and Brisbane. Most are reasonably intelligent and they have developed through a system.

"They are the best rugby nation in the world. That is our challenge. To take them on.

"It is marvellously exciting to be part of this thing."

The 10-match tour starts against Western Australia in Perth on June 8, culminating in three Tests on June 30, July 7 and 14.