British and Irish Lions

Blanco, 50, was taken into hospital on Sunday when he complained of having chest pains. He made 93 appearances for France between 1980-1991 and played in the inaugural World Cup Final against New Zealand in Auckland in 1987.

These days, Blanco is president of the Biarritz Olympique club, having recently stepped down as president of the Ligue National de Rugby (LNR) in France.

One of the original inductees of the International Rugby Hall of Fame 12 years ago, the operation he underwent saw him have stents put in his arteries to keep them open following an acute coronary event (syndrome).

Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says he picked his Test team for Saturday's opening international based on how his side plans to play rather than on what The British & Irish Lions will bring to the table.

Warren Gatland says he and his British & Irish Lions Test team are fully aware of the size of the threat posed by Qantas Wallabies wing Israel Folau this weekend.

Less than four kilometres away from the Suncorp Stadium, venue for the opening Test between the British & Irish Lions and Qantas Wallabies on Saturday, lies the grave of the man who took the starring role in the first international between the two teams in 1899.