The exciting thing about today's match in Hong Kong is that we will be seeing players in Lions shirts, playing in a game of rugby – it's that simple. At long last, after a four-year wait, the tour is upon us and I cannot wait.
In reality, I think this first game – apart from being unique in that it is in Hong Kong – will be a one-sided affair. After watching the Barbarians get pulled apart by a very young England side last week, I can't see them putting up too much of a fight against a Lions team where players are playing for their Test spots.
The Lions team may be a bit rusty – like the Barbarians – but really I can only see one winner: the Lions by a hatful of points against a Barbarians side who will try to entertain.
I am just so pleased the tour is finally here. Players will be looking to make an early statement and it will be a great occasion in Hong Kong, where there is always an excellent atmosphere for the Sevens.
Warren Gatland will already have a firm idea about his best XV – if he didn't, it would be quite worrying. But there will inevitably be injuries, there will inevitably be people who lose form, and there will be those by whom he is not entirely convinced. Equally, others could play themselves into the Test team.
What Gatland will get out of today's game will be very little. He'll get to see the work-rate, he'll get to see a few players shaking off a few cobwebs, and he'll get to look at a few combinations. He will be looking at Owen Farrell, who has struggled in his last few big games. But, overall, it's as simple as trying to get some early momentum, because if you are winning going into the Test series, the competition for places is strong and it has the makings of a good Lions tour.
Make no bones about it, a few early defeats can undermine the whole tour – so the Lions will be looking to win and win well today to get their tour off to a positive start.
We know it's going to get harder, we know it's going to get more physical with lots of brilliant Australian athletes taking on the Lions, but against the Barbarians, Gatland will just be looking for a nice win to start the tour.
Sam Warburton is not playing today – and that's not too much of a concern at the moment. But he will need to play in the next Saturday game, against Queensland Reds, or certainly the game after that, because at that point you are only 10-14 days away from the first Test.
At this stage of a tour, it's about managing your squad, and Gatland will not be overly concerned about Warburton's absence – unless he knows something we don't, or if he ends up missing the second and third games as well.
Club-wise, where Bristol are concerned, it's effectively now or never after Newcastle were promoted to the Aviva Premiership. Credit to Newcastle, they were the best team in the Championship all season, even though Bristol beat them in the final game of the season.
They have done the business now and got themselves promoted, which is great news for Bristol and their supporters. You look at the Championship next season, and, with Andy Robinson and Sean Holley on board, Bristol must be clear favourites.
London Welsh have been decimated by people leaving, Nottingham have got all kinds of problems with money, Bedford will always compete but I don't believe they can or even want to go up, and Cornish Pirates blow hot and cold.
Next season will be a huge season for Bristol – and they have effectively put all their eggs in one basket when it comes to winning promotion in a year's time. They've bought, both on and off the field, and everything is geared toward going up. Really, there shouldn't be anything to touch them next season.
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