Sometimes in sport you have to grind out victories and none more can be true of the British and Irish Lions first game of the South Aftrica tour where a 37 – 25 victory against Royal XV in Phokeng. With just 15 minutes left to play and Royal XV leading by 25 points to 13, the British and Irish lions finally found their bite and ran in 3 tries in the closing minutes.

Coach, McGeechan, was undoubtedly pleased with the finishing peroformance against the invitational side, but knows the matches are only going to get tougher as they near the first test against the Springboks on June the 20th.

Tomorrow night (3rd of June) the British and Irish Lions play the Xerox Golden Lions in Johannesburg. Brian O’Driscoll has been named captain and only 3 players from the Royal XV match will feauture. McGeechan’s intention is to have all of the British and Irish Lions squad to have played at least one match in their first 3 opening games. It will hopefully give McGeechan a better understanding of his players and their current attitude in games prior to the start of the 3 tests later this month.

British and Irish Lions vs South Africa Betting Odds June 20th 2009

South Africa	1/3	4/11	1/4	2/7	1/3
British Irish Lions	12/5	2	11/4	5/2	5/2
Draw	22	18	20	20	16