Queensland Reds 12 - 22 Lions

The British and Irish Lions made it three wins from three on tour, but had to work for it against a brave and skilful Queensland Reds side

How Wales plan to defeat Japan

Wales’ coaches are sandpapering the grip off their rugby balls and turning up the thermostats to get the squad ready for their Japan tour.

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New Blues pitch will provide "a more expansive and attractive game"

The new surface will allow games to go ahead no matter the weather and hopefully enable us to play a more expansive and attractive game for supporters to enjoy.

There is also the wider community to consider and our aim is to make the pitch available for teams in the Blues region to play and train on.

We’ve put a great amount of effort into researching the different surfaces available and I have no doubt that the new artificial pitch will be a hit with players and supporters alike.

– Richard Holland, Chief Executive, Cardiff Blues

Work on installing the new pitch will begin in June ahead of Cardiff Blues playing their first match on the new surface against Sale Sharks on 23 August.

Cardiff Blues get go-ahead for artificial pitch

by Nick Hartley, Sports Reporter
Cardiff Arms Park Credit: Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

Cardiff Blues will go ahead with plans to install and artificial pitch at the Arms Park in time for the start of next season.

The idea has been mooted by the region for several months but has been dependent on it being ratified by both the Welsh Rugby Union and its own members.

It is hoped that the new surface will put an end to the heavy, mud soaked pitch that has plagued the region for several seasons and provide them with a facility that allows almost weather-proof events.

Club officials also believe that it will offer a significant rise in commercial opportunities given that there will be no limit on the number of matches and events which can be held at the stadium.

The surface is similar to the one installed at English Premier League club Saracens' Allianze Park Stadium in recent months and manufacturers say it has been tested past all required safety standards.

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Lions 'have to improve strong performance' - Gatland

It would be great to remain unbeaten and take that momentum into the 1st Test. However, more importantly we are looking to finalise key playing combinations and strengthen our patterns of play during the next two matches.

This match, the fourth of our lead-up matches in Australia, will assist in this process. To beat the Waratahs we know we have to improve on our strong performance last Saturday against the Reds. This side is more than capable of doing that.

– Warren Gatland, British and Irish Lions head coach

Lions v Waratahs: full team

Here's the full team list for the British and Irish Lions v HSNC NSW Waratahs clash on Saturday in Sydney:

  • Leigh Halfpenny
  • Sean Maitland
  • Jonathan Davies
  • Jamie Roberts
  • Simon Zebo
  • Jonathan Sexton
  • Mike Phillips
  • Mako Vunipola
  • Tom Youngs
  • Adam Jones
  • Alun Wyn Jones
  • Paul O'Connell
  • Tom Croft
  • Sam Warburton - Capt
  • Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Rob Kearney.

Gatland names his starting XV for Waratahs clash

Warren Gatland sets his sights on continuing unbeaten run Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland is hoping to build on his side's winning record winning streak as he names his starting XV to face the New South Wales Waratahs.

Sam Warburton returns to the captaincy, with Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Adam Jones and Alun Wyn Jones completing the Welsh contingent in the starting line-up. Richard Hibbard and Dan Lydiate are on the bench.

Howley 'generally happy' with Lions performance

Brian O'Driscoll led the Lions today, after Sam Warburton captained them on Saturday. Credit: PA

Rob Howley said the Lions coaching team were "generally happy", after they beat Combined Country 64-0 for a fourth successive victory on the 2013 tour.

The tourists scored six tries in the first half, and four more in a scrappy second 40 minutes.

"I suppose the second half was frustrating. Obviously it's quite dewy but there was probably a few too many handling errors for our liking, particularly in the opposition 22", Howley said. "Obviously to score ten tries we're happy."

Winger George North was replaced at half-time due to a hamstring complaint after scoring twice in the first period, but Howley said it was just a precaution.

"George's hamstring is quite tight so we decided to take him off, not risk him."

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