Saturday 3 June 2017 08:28, UK
The British and Irish Lions will look to lay down a marker in their first tour game against the Provincial Barbarians on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8am.
The Lions are expected to have too much firepower for the NZ Baa-baas but a commanding win will get their tour off to the best start and will also reveal something about Warren Gatland's gameplan and some crucial combinations.
Every one of the match 23 will be desperate to get stuck in against the NZ Baa-baas and stick up their hand for a Test place, but we look at five players who Gatland will be paying special attention too.
Greig Laidlaw
A late call-up to the Lions touring party after the withdrawal of Ben Youngs, the Clermont-bound scrum-half will be keen to show he is not just there to make up the numbers.
While Laidlaw's former Scotland boss Vern Cotter has already tipped the 31-year-old as an ideal midweek captain for the Lions as they bid for a first series win in New Zealand since 1971, the scrum-half has insisted he remains intent on proving his full worth to the Lions with the tour yet to hit full swing.
"I've built a good relationship with big VC (Cotter) over time with Scotland and I've certainly got a lot of respect for him, but whenever I'm given an opportunity it's up to me to show what I'm all about and bring my strengths to the table," said Laidlaw.
"So if and when I'm given an opportunity that's what I'll be aiming to do and give my best towards a team performance."
Taulupe Faletau
Much has been made of Billy Vunipola's absence and the possible impact that will have on the Lions' chances in New Zealand, with Brian O'Driscoll describing the loss as "absolutely astronomical".
But one man who will be keen to show that the Lions have a more than adequate replacement is Taulupe Faletau.
The subject of jibes from ex-All Black Zinzan Brooke this week for not possessing enough "mongrel edge", Faletau will be looking to put such criticisms to bed when he pulls on the No 8 shirt against the Provincial Barbarians on Saturday.
Faletua does not have that carrying intensity that Billy has, but Gatland will want him to really take charge with ball in hand - he does give the Lions a little bit extra at No 8 in terms of his superb running lines and his excellent ball skills.
Jamie George
Jamie George will want to show Warren Gatland and the rest of the Lions' coaching staff that he is more than just a bench player, having found himself named in that position once again for the opening tour game.
All 17 of the Saracens hooker's England caps have been won off the replacements' bench, providing back-up to current England captain Dylan Hartley and he will now face a battle with Ireland skipper Rory Best and in-form Welshman Ken Owens for a Test team starting place.
Speaking of the challenge, George said: "My mindset is that you have to earn the right to play in the shirt. That is my ambition.
"I know that I will have to be in form up against two world-class players, and I am making sure I am doing everything to get myself right when my opportunity comes."
Sam Warburton
After two months on the sidelines due to injury the Lions captain will have to hit the ground running in the opening tour game.
The flanker has not played since April 7 due to a knee injury suffered playing for Cardiff Blues against Ulster and there have been question marks raised about his fitness going into such a long and gruelling tour.
His defensive qualities could prove to be crucial for the Lions and a good run out on Saturday will settle him and the rest of the Lions.
Johnny Sexton
Sexton sets high standards for himself and his team and is certainly not afraid to let his team-mates know if they are falling below par.
He would have been bitterly disappointed with his performance in the PRO12 semi-final where he could not steer Leinster to victory over The Scarlets - even when the Welsh side went down to 14 men.
However, Sexton is exactly the type of player Gatland wants in his side and will be looking forward to seeing how he responds on Saturday. Sexton needs to bounce back and find that confidence that seemed to be missing against the Scarlets and put pressure on Owen Farrell (who is on the bench) and Dan Biggar, who will be chomping at the bit for their chance to shine.
"We're starting Johnny because he hasn't played a lot of rugby," Gatland told the Daily Mail.
"The three 10s came in together but we felt Johnny needed to start this first game, get some rugby under his belt and get off to a good start because he hasn't played a huge amount.
"Johnny has been great. He knows he's under (pressure), knows he needs to get some games under his belt. He knows that the competition is pretty fierce in that position, but he's a competitor and that's what has made him one of the best 10s in world rugby. I've got no doubt he'd want a good performance from himself on Saturday
"Last week at the end of training I had a chat to the 10s and Jonny [Sexton] said, 'Don't worry about him (Owen Farrell), he's a midfielder,'" said Gatland.
"There's already a bit of banter.
Stuart Hogg
This will be an important game for Hogg who will want to show his defensive qualities are up to scratch.
In attack, Hogg could be one of the Lions most potent weapons and offers a real cutting edge that could be the difference against the All Blacks.
Defensively, Hogg is not as bad as some critics make out - as the last man in defence he is often called upon to make desperate tackles that have already broken through the first line of defence, meaning Hogg has to get back to try and defend
It is Hogg's ability under the high ball that will come under scrutiny on Saturday - especially with the forecast in Whangarei to be rain and more rain.
A Hogg able to dominate the air and counter-attack with his precision would delight Gatland and his coaching staff.
Catch all the action from this historic series live only on Sky Sports.
