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British and Irish Lions’ captain Rory Best (centre) and replacement scrumhalf Conor Murray lead the team off the pitch after losing to the Brumbies. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire. Gatland concedes Lions not good enough

The New Zealander bemoans a lack of intensity in the first half and a poor performance at the breakdown

Rob Kearney of the Lions is tackled during the match against the ACT Brumbies and the British & Irish Lions at Canberra Stadium. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images Lions derailed by Brumbies in Canberra

Lineout a mess as basics let the tourists down days ahead of the crucial first Test

Shane Williams, Christian Wade and assistant coach Andy Farrell during as the Lions’ training session at North Sydney Oval. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho ACT Brumbies out to make most of free shot at Lions in Canberra

Host side not fully loaded but victory would boost coach Jake White’s chances of succeeding Robbie Deans as Wallabies head coach

Devin Toner made a big step up in the international game with his performances on tour. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Joe Schmidt’s regeneration of Ireland begins to take shape

Players put their hands up on North American tour while the backroom team is coming together

Clyde Rathbone of the Brumbies will be up against the Lions’ Shane Williams today. Photograph: Stefan Postles/Getty Images Second coming proving all the sweeter for Brumbies’ Clyde Rathbone

Former Wallaby looking forward to locking horns with the Lions

Tommy Bowe trains at the North Sydney Oval with the help of a hand splint. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Tommy Bowe ‘highly unlikely’ to be available for Lions’ first Test

But winger back running as Jamie Roberts also looks set to miss out

Ireland head coach Mike Ruddock. Photograph: Gwna‘l Mah/InphoŽ Ruddock rings changes for France match

Northampton Saints academy wing Wootton to make his Ireland debut

George North breaks clear for his first try during the match between Combined Country and the British & Irish Lions at Hunter Stadium. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images Mixed prognosis for Roberts and North

Lions team doctor James Robson believes that Welsh wing could be fit for first test

Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony after the match against Canada in Toronto. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho. Peter O’Mahony steps up when his country calls

Willpower, quiet leadership and calmness under pressure kept the wolves from the door on countless occasions

Jonny Sexton of the Lions is surounded by Waratahs players . Photoraph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images Lions won’t risk players in game against Brumbies

Gatland willing to sacrifice Canberra clash for greater gain against Wallabies

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans takes a silent stance

Australian World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer accuses Lions of being ‘cheats’ but gets no support from current boss

Emerging Ireland second in Tbilisi Cup after win over Uruguay

Sloppy final quarter that saw concession of three tries will concern coach Allen Clarke

Shane Williams, seen here scoring for the Lions against South Africa in 2009, has been called up to the squad for the game against the Brumbies. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Shane Williams ‘more shocked’ than anyone by Lions call-up

Former Wales winger to start against Brumbies, as Rory Best prepares to lead tourists against ACT Brumbies

Ireland’s Fergus McFadden scores one of his three tries against Canada. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho McFadden scores three in Ireland win over Canada

Peter O’Mahony proves leadership credentials once again as young side ends tour on a high

Jamie Roberts receives treatment for an injury in Sydney this morning. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Lions hoping Roberts has avoided hamstring injury

England’s Brad Barritt and Christian Wade called up to squad after win over Waratahs

Lions captain Sam Warburton pleased with convincing win over NSW Waratahs in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images Captain Warburton ‘very pleased’ with solid performance

Lions ‘definitely stepped it up’, according to Wales flanker

Paul O’Connell of the Lions charges upfield against the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images Halfpenny leads Lions to Waratahs win

Wales fullback scores 30 points as tourists impress against serious opposition, but Roberts injury will concern management

England player Joe Launchbury looking for a 2-0 series win over Argetnina England’s Joe Launchbury determined to end season on winning note in Argentina

England out to show they are not on holiday mode yet

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Full coverage of the Lions Tour Down Under
 

Rabo Pro 12

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Ulster 22 17 1 4 577 348 11 81
Leinster 22 17 0 5 585 386 10 78
Glasgow 22 16 0 6 541 324 12 76
Scarlets 22 15 0 7 436 406 6 66
Ospreys 22 14 1 7 471 342 4 62
Munster 22 11 1 10 442 384 8 54
Treviso 22 10 2 10 414 450 6 51
Connacht 22 8 1 13 358 422 4 38
Cardiff 21 8 0 13 335 450 6 38
Edinburgh 22 7 0 15 499 504 8 36
Dragons 22 6 0 16 358 589 4 28
Zebre 22 0 0 22 288 573 10 10

 

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Game of the Gael: Road bowling through Cork and Armagh

Ian O'Riordan Ian O'Riordan -

Words of JFK remembered as Ireland look to avoid the drop

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