Taylor predicts Lions surprise

Unlucky Lion Simon Taylor has backed his touring team-mates to pull off a surprise result in the opening Test.

The Scotland international was forced out of his second-successive Lions tour by a hamstring injury – four years after returning home early from Australia with a knee problem.

Taylor concedes watching the game in the early hours of Saturday morning from his Edinburgh home will be difficult.

But the 25-year-old maintains Sir Clive Woodward’s team can spring a surprise in Christchurch.

Taylor told Scotland Today: "I think people will be surprised and the team will put in a decent performance.

"I’ve not seen the last two games, it was just too close to the bone but I’ll drag myself out of bed for it, I think."

But the Edinburgh Gunners number eight admits his decision to return home was the right one.

Taylor added: "The thing is you can run on it at decent pace, but it’s different when you’re playing and sprinting and I would not be confident playing today, which is two weeks after, so it was the right decision.

"There were a few days when I couldn’t believe it and I thought what’s the point of this? At the moment, it seems I’m injured all the time."