British and Irish Lions

The New Zealander again repeated his belief that Wales have to follow the Irish provincial model after seeing his side slump to a 30-22 defeat at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday.

He said: "Whether we like it or not, we have got to make changes or we will have days like this again.

"There have been ominous signs before, this was just another one. You can talk about provinces or whatever, it is about doing what's right for your country.

"It doesn't matter whether if what's right for Wales is right for Italy or if what's right for Italy is right for England. It's about doing what's right for us."

The burning issue - which could see the likes of Pontypridd and Cardiff, as well as Swansea and Llanelli united to compete in in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup competitions - will be discussed by the clubs at a special meeting next Sunday.

Three former British & Irish Lions will line-up against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday as the Barbarians warm-up for their showdown with the 2013 tourists in Hong Kong next week.

Radike Samo, one of only two players still playing top level rugby in Australia who placed against the 2001 British & Irish Lions, will return to top flight action with Queensland Reds against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday.

British & Irish Lions hookers Dylan Hartley and Tom Youngs will fight out their own private duel in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday and then become team mates for the next six weeks a day later.