'Bash and bruise the Lions'
There has been an ongoing mini-spat in the press regarding how strong the Australian Super Rugby sides will be for their games against the Lions.
The tourists made a point of reminding their hosts that they are contractually obliged to field strong teams and not save players for the Tests, while Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's response was that the Lions will be doing exactly the same as they ramp towards the three-Test series.
One thing is clear, the Australian players themselves are not taking the games lightly, and instead appear to be a mission to make sure that whoever does get picked for the Lions in the tour matches will be "a bit sore" by the time the Tests roll around.
"If we can bash a couple of their blokes on the way in and bruise them and make them a bit sore by the time they get to the Wallabies then job done as far as the Super Rugby sides are concerned," Western Force scrum-half Nic White said.
Despite firing a warning shot to his opponents ahead of the Lions' first game on Australia soil on Saturday, the 35-year-old was quick to add that he is looking forward to the "dream come true" opportunity of taking part in the iconic series.
"It's proper spine-tingling stuff," White said.
"Don't get injured, that's just been going through my mind. Twelve years ago I got injured and missed that opportunity, and it's been in the back of my mind for a long time now.
"To get the opportunity to play against the Lions is unreal. It's a real dream come true, words don't really do it justice."
Pollock's incredible rise reaches crescendo
Where to start with a player like Henry Pollock. Earlier this year he was playing in the U20 Six Nations, and in the five months that have followed he made his England senior debut against Wales - scoring two tries - before helping steer Northampton to a Champions Cup final where they were narrowly beaten by Bordeaux-Begles.
His try-scoring performance against Leinster in the semi-final is still talked about now, and his overall impact on the global game was evident in the fact that the French players were using his try celebrations to mark their victory in the changing rooms after they lifted Europe's premier trophy.
Now, less than five months after being part of that U20 Six Nations, Pollock will start for the Lions in the number eight jersey against the Western Force. A remarkable rise for someone who will be just 20 years, five months and 14 days old when running onto that field in Perth.
Though he may be young in terms of years, Lions coach Andy Farrell is backing the Saints star to make his presence felt.
"He knows what we want from our eights, but he's got to find his own version of that, as that's what we want, him being himself," Farrell said.
"His point of difference is his ability to see things quickly and act upon that and his line running, for example, is pretty good.
"His awareness of space and how sharp he is in his mind and his athletic abilities are up there with the other lads in the squad."
Farrell also felt that the lessons Pollock will have taken from that heart-breaking loss in the Champions Cup final will serve him well in Australia and beyond.
"The final was perfect for him as at the top end of club level, and international level, and the top end of British and Irish Lions matches, they're all experiences that you'd hope to get," he said.
"He's had one of those where it all didn't go his team's way. He's got to find a way within that. That's going to happen on a tour like this."
Farrell opts for familiarity
After there were some issues with the Lions' stuttering attack in their loss to Argentina in Dublin, Farrell has opted for a few familiar combinations this time around. Finn Russell has been drafted in at fly-half, and next to him at inside centre is his Scotland team-mate Sione Tuipulotu.
Tuipulotu started in the number 13 jersey against the Pumas, but had a disjointed first outing with Bundee Aki as his partner in midfield. This time he is back in the number 12 jersey and he has Garry Ringrose outside him.
Ringrose himself will certainly benefit from the familiarity of playing distributor to his Ireland team-mates James Lowe and Mack Hansen, who have been picked as the two wingers.
The components are there for the Lions to set up some blistering play in Perth, and if they are to succeed in doing so, Russell will need to be at his best.
At times criticised for being too outrageous with what he attempts with ball in hand, the playmaker's own confidence in himself has meant he's never wavered from what he does best, all the while building on the fundamentals expected of a fly-half in the Test arena.
But while Farrell will be keeping an eye on how Russell manages the game and the scoreboard, he still wants to see the Scot lean on his natural instincts as Russell aims to roar a slick Lions backline into life.
"Finn's ability to see space allows him to think quicker than most," Farrell said. "He sees the whole picture. He's the 10. He's one of the generals."
Sheehan up against an unstoppable Force lineout?
The Lions backline are not the only ones who will be glad for some familiarity; Dan Sheehan will lead the Lions on Saturday in the number two jersey, becoming only the 26th player to skipper the team on his Lions debut - the last being Ken Owens who led the Lions against the Blues during the tour of New Zealand in 2017.
While there is plenty of uncharted territory for Sheehan to navigate this weekend, he will be grateful for the familiar faces staring back at him when the first lineout takes place on Saturday. Farrell has picked no fewer than eight players from Ireland to start the match, equalling an Irish record achieved on six previous occasions - the most recent of which was also against the Western Force on the last tour to Australia in 2013.
Sheehan will be packing down in the scrum next to Tadhg Furlong, and throwing into the lineout at Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier, which will help calm his nerves on his debut.
He'll need it, too. Despite not being one of the stronger sides in Super Rugby, the Western Force had the best lineout success rate this season with 88.6%. Additionally, Darcy Swain stole eight lineouts this term - topping the charts along with Jeremy Williams - while Will Harris stole seven.
When Farrell announced his team earlier this week he heaped praise on Sheehan, but quickly reminded the man sitting next to him in the press conference about the challenge that awaits if there is any complacency from him and the rest of the team at the lineout and beyond.
"Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family - so congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut," Farrell said.
"We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best."
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