Lions looking to keep perfect record on tour

SYDNEY - The Associated Press

British and Irish Lions player Paul O’Connell attends a training session in Sydney. The Lions will play a tour match against the New South Wales Waratahs. AFP photo

The British and Irish Lions will attempt to win their fifth consecutive tour match June 15 when a full-strength side expected to feature in the first test against Australia takes on the New South Wales Waratahs.

The match follows a 64-0 win over a Combined Country side June 11. The Lions have scored 28 tries in four matches as they prepare for the three-test series against the Wallabies, including the first June 22 in Brisbane.

On June 14, the Waratahs said captain Dave Dennis would return from international duty to lead the side against the Lions. He’ll be joined by another Wallaby released for the match, test inside center Rob Horne, giving the home side an added 29 test caps of experience.

Openside flanker Pat McCutcheon will return from a knee injury for the Waratahs. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we want it to be something worth remembering,” Waratahs coach Michael Cheika said. “We’re going to go for it, we can’t be looking for a glorious defeat. As a player, you want to say that you played in an international-level fixture and you made something of it.”

On June 13, Ireland’s Simon Zebo was rushed straight into the Lions team and will start on the left wing for the New South Wales match.