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Force loom as Lions' ready to meet them
2 JUN 2013, 1:39 PM - SOURCE: AAP
The British and Irish Lions have defeated the Barbarians 59-8 at Hong Kong Stadium. (AAP)
A near full-strength Western Force outfit, with a knack of upsetting better opponents, will pose an early danger to the British and Irish Lions Down Under.
Lions playmaking front-runner Jonny Sexton has highlighted the unexpected danger a fresh and committed Western Force poses in a potential tour ambush in Perth on Wednesday night.
If there's a banana skin slip-up by the British and Irish squad before the first Test against the Wallabies on June 22, then their visit to Paterson Stadium looms as the most likely.
While the Force are languishing in third last on the Super Rugby table, they will be near full-strength and well prepared after a weekend bye gave them a long 11-day turnaround since their last-start win over the Highlanders.
Michael Foley's team have also made a habit of producing their best rugby against top opponents, shown by this season's upsets over the Crusaders and Queensland Reds, as well as a return draw against the Reds and a near boilover against South Africa's pacesetting Bulls.
Sexton expects the Force will lift against a Lions outfit which only arrives in Western Australia on Monday morning, and has had precious little training time together.
It will be a completely different side to that which rolled the Barbarians 59-8 in sweltering Hong Kong conditions on Saturday night.
The starting XV will mainly contain players who joined the 37-man tour party late due to their European club commitments, and those returning from injury.
Sexton knows the Force, who will only be missing Nick Cummins and Ben McCalman to Wallabies duties, would treat Wednesday's match as a final.
"To get a first Lions cap is special," the Irish tour debutant said. "It's just as special to play against them.
"We'll be up against a team that will be really motivated and they have improved massively (this year) and this will be the biggest game of their season in many ways so we have to be ready for that.
"We have to balance that with getting ourselves right."
Duelling with Englishman Owen Farrell for the Test five-eighth position, Sexton will start at No.10 in Perth after producing a sparkling 22-minute cameo off the bench in Hong Kong.
Sexton firmed to start the first Test also after Farrell produced a forgettable attacking display against the Barbarians where he struggled to hold and pass the slippery ball and took some poor options.
In contrast, the Irishman didn't put a foot wrong when he took the field and quickly set up three late tries.
Sexton's long-time teammate Brian O'Driscoll, facing huge opposition for a centres place in the Tests, is also expected to start in Perth and could again captain the Lions on his fourth tour.
Tour skipper Sam Warburton (knee) is unlikely to play the Force but prop Gethin Jenkins (calf) and fullback Rob Kearney (hamstring) are back in the frame.
Warburton looks set to return against Queensland on Saturday night in Brisbane when the Reds will be without Wallabies squad members Will Genia, James Horwill, James Slipper, Digby Ioane, Rob Simmons, Saia Faingaa and Liam Gill.
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