THE HEAD TO HEAD BATTLES

THE BRITISH and Irish Lions left home at the end of May with many observers predicting they were embarking on mission impossible in their bid to win a first series in New Zealand since 1971.

An early midweek defeat by the unfancied Blues made those predictions look spot-on, but back-to-back Saturday victories over the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks have given Warren Gatland’s men and their travelling fans hope that the impossible may just be possible.

Doubts persist over the fitness of playmaker Owen Farrell (quad) and captain Sam Warburton (knee and ankle) while the one player many felt they could not afford to lose, Billy Vunipola (pictured), was lost before the tour began with a shoulder injury. But the Lions have been written off before and produced shock results. Few expected the Lions to beat the all-conquering Crusaders last weekend while Ireland’s stunning victory over the All Blacks in Chicago last year provided a blueprint of what it takes to beat Steve Hansen’s men. The Lions’ huge army of supporters will be willing them on at Eden Park on Saturday for the first of three eagerly anticipated Test encounters. Here, Mail on Sunday rugby correspondent SAM PETERS examines where the first Test will be won and lost.