Verbal jousting on British and Irish Lions tours is as much a part of the deal as the rugby itself - and the mind games started anew in recent days, writes Tom English.

Interview: David Nucifora, the Lions’ in-house Australian, worked alongside opponents’ head coach and plans to put his insight to good use

Verbal jousting on British and Irish Lions tours is as much a part of the deal as the rugby itself - and the mind games started anew in recent days, writes Tom English.

Chest-thumping speech before the 2013 series decider is part of Lions lore and can be the head coach’s mantra for his 2025 tourists

Ben Calveley expected a competitive Force side to face the British & Irish Lions who could open their tour to other countries such as France in the future