Wednesday 24 May 2017 16:31, UK
Miles Harrison believes Warren Gatland's squad has the potential to produce the greatest British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
The Lions have not toured the home of the All Blacks since 2005, when Clive Woodward's squad was on the wrong end of a 3-0 series whitewash.
However, Harrison believes this time Gatland's selection can come out on top in the series - with every match of the tour shown live on Sky Sports - if they centre on their own game and take all opportunities that arise.
Harrison, speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, said: "The head is saying one thing, New Zealand are twice world champions, but I am going to let the heart go. There's something happening here and if it happens it will be the greatest thing we will ever witness.
"They have to believe they can go there and win this series. Various teams that have gone to New Zealand, as soon as they are off the plane they are believing it is not possible.
"You aren't going to outplay New Zealand and the likelihood is they will score more tries after the hour mark and win the game. They will also have to sort out the breakdown, where Billy Vunipola is a massive loss, but there is still a lot of talent in that side that can have a big physical presence.
"[Defence coach] Andy Farrell will be a key man. Chances might be few and far between and chances are going to have to be taken."
Both Harrison and former Lion, Stuart Barnes, agree that selection for Gatland's matchday squads will be the most important factor in beating the All Blacks, although Barnes is firmly behind New Zealand winning the series.
Barnes said: "It is about getting your selection right; in 2005 they just got the selection totally wrong and Clive went for a bunch of - I've got to say it - has-been Englishmen and it went horribly wrong.
"Selection is not about who is the best player, it's not about who has got the best form, it is an amalgamation of all of them."
Gatland had previously been criticised for only including two Scottish players in his original selection despite Scotland's success-filled Six Nations with victories over Wales and Ireland.
However, Barnes believes there was no need for all the controversy surrounding the inclusion of 12 Welsh players compared to Scotland's two, which was recently raised to three by Greig Laidlaw's call as a replacement for Ben Youngs.
He said: "[Scotland] were a very well coached team so collectively they were good. Individually Wales had a lot of very good players but as a team they didn't gel.
"So Gatland doesn't just look at the results of Scotland v Wales, he thinks about who are the players with the individual ability to really stand out and come into form at the right time."
In the professional era of rugby Barnes believes that the Lions tour is a throwback for the four home nations involved and part of tradition for New Zealand.
He said: "It is very traditional and New Zealand loves its traditions. Rugby is its religion and when the Lions go there, it all comes together and it is amazing.
"There is an incredible intensity to it and everyone remembers you, and knows the players."
Gatland's 41-player squad will play 10 matches, starting on June 3 against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, before they play the first of three games against the All Blacks on June 24 in Auckland.
All 10 games of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand will be live on Sky Sports, starting June 3
