The Lions have won both tour games so far comfortably – but there will be a huge concern in the camp that they need to get some worthwhile, competitive rugby before the first Test.
Thankfully, I think today against the Reds is where it all starts. As players, we have all played in games we should win, but let's not forget that the Lions have been playing against teams for whom facing the tourists is their cup final.
For those players who represented Western Force in midweek, for example, that would have been the biggest game of most of their lives.
Looking at the Reds, there are a few ex-Wallabies, a few big names and a few youngsters who want to get into the Test squad. It will be the Lions' biggest test so far. But there can be few complaints about the way the Lions have gone about their business so far – it may be early days, but they have done everything right.
They have used all of their squad, everyone is getting game-time, and Sam Warburton is now back to challenge the back row.
Throughout the squad, it is looking very competitive for places, which can only be a good thing. The tour is very much on course – the Lions have done everything that has been asked of them so far.
There will be a general consensus that the scrum is seen as the main strength of the Lions armoury – and, with Cian Healy out and Gethin Jenkins struggling, you've only got to get Adam Jones to fall foul of the referee (and he does play very much on the line of giving away penalties or not) and a large part of the Lions' game is diluted. You've only got to give the Wallabies parity at the scrum and the Lions will lose a significant amount of edge.
Mako Vunipola played remarkably well against Western Force – but he is an impact player and I think he's best suited to coming on in the last 20 minutes, rather than playing the first 60.
I am pleased Alex Corbisiero has joined the squad, as I think he is a great scrummager. I can see him being an asset to the Lions. If it hadn't been for a few injuries he's had over the last 18 months, he probably would have been there in his own right from the start.
Looking at Australian rugby and the injuries they've had in their squad – and looking at how they are essentially in a rebuilding phase – you have to say that the Lions should win the Test series.
But those could be famous last words, because so many sides have gone to Australia and been turned over because they have underestimated their hosts. In theory, though, this Lions squad looks as if it holds most of the cards going into the Test series.
Aside from Healy, and the fact Jenkins hasn't got on the field yet, it looks as if the Australians have more injury concerns than the Lions, and, generally speaking, I think the tourists are in a very good position to win the series.
This is a good Lions squad with a lot of players who have serious aspirations of playing in the Tests – and Lions tours are only successful when they've got a midweek side that's playing well and winning well. We are only two games in, but it seems as if this Lions squad has got that.
That said, it is a ridiculously short tour, so there isn't a lot of time for people to challenge for places – but those who have been called upon so far have generally impressed. And, by this afternoon, I feel we will have a much better idea of who looks as if they will start the first Test.
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