Two mid-week games entertain us until the massive weekend ahead. The Lions officially get their Australia tour underway against the Force, while Canada host Fiji in Pacific Nations Cup action.

WESTERN FORCE vs BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Wednesday, June 5, 11:00 GMT, Perth

After reports that the Force would field a B-side, they have instead opted to roll out a mixed bunch, and while below full strength it still features five Wallaby test veterans with a former All Black on the bench. Captain Matt Hodgson spearheads a useful back row, and former rugby league centre Chris Tuatara-Morrison will look to chop down the Lions midfield.

Brian O’Driscoll leads out the men in red in a completely changed side from the one in Hong Kong. Another seven of his countrymen give the starting lineup a distinct Irish flavour, with Sean Maitland on the bench the only Scottish representative. Manu Tuilagi will make his Lions bow beside O’Driscoll, with Northampton-bound George North hoping to get an early one-up on his future clubmate Salesi Ma’afu.

The Force should offer far more competition than the Barbarians, but without most of their starting backline there is a distinct lack of class to keep up with the likes of Bowe and Halfpenny. Some big hits will feature early before the gulf in experience becomes overwhelming apparent as the Lions stroll home to a comfortable 25 point victory.

WESTERN FORCE
Sam Christie; Dane Haylett-Petty, Ed Stubbs, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Corey Brown; Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan; Salesi Manu, James Hilterbrand, Salesi Ma’afu; Toby Lynn, Phoenix Battye; Angus Cottrell, Matt Hodgson (capt.), Richard Brown. RES: Hugh Roach, Sione Kolo, Tim Metcher, Ben Matwijow, Lachlan McCaffrey, Alby Mathewson, Nick Haining, Junior Rasolea.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Leigh Halfpenny; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (capt.), Manu Tuilagi, George North; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Dan Cole; Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans; Tom Croft, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip. RES: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Matt Stevens, Geoff Parling, Toby Faletau, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland.

CANADA vs FIJI
Wednesday, June 5, 22:40 GMT, Ottawa

A good idea in theory, not so much in practice, this match best represents the terribly cramped scheduling of this thrown together version of the Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji are somehow expected to travel halfway around the world and compete, still without many of their top pros, against Canada barely five days after hosting Japan in Lautoka. It’s a ridiculous proposition and if the Fijians keep it close, or even pull off a win, it would be a particularly impressive feat.

Coach Inoke Male has selected largely the same side, but will be without Netani Talei, Nikola Matawalu, and Sireli Bobo, who have stayed behind in Fiji for personal reasons. North Harbour stalwart Malakai Ravulo steps in at openside with captain Akapusi Qera shifting to no8, Aisea Natoga comes in for Bobo on the wing, and young Aporosa Kenatale looks to win his first cap off the bench in place of Matawalu. Reserve flanker Sam Matavesi will also hope to make his test debut against his Plymouth Albion club mate Aaron Carpenter.

Kieran Crowley has made several changes to the side, bringing Andrew Tiedemann and Ryan Hamilton into the front row and lineout specialist Jon Phelan in at lock. Nanyak Dala slots in at openside, with fellow sevens star Phil Mack partnering Balmy Beach product Liam Underwood at halfback. Matt Evans returns from England to find a place on the wing, bumping Ciaran Hearn to centre alongside re-positioned Harry Jones. Key forward Jebb Sinclair starts on the bench after a long season with London Irish.

The combination of jetlag and short recovery time should be too much for Fiji to overcome, though they could put some points on the board early if brutal midfielder Nemani Nadolo is given too much space. Expect the Canadian forwards to wear down their Pacific counterparts, and a superior kicking game to produce somewhere around a 10 point victory.

CANADA
Connor Braid; Matt Evans, Ciaran Hearn, Harry Jones, Taylor Paris; Liam Underwood, Phil Mack; Andrew Tiedemann, Ryan Hamilton, Jason Marshall; Jon Phelan, Tyler Hotson; Tyler Ardron, Nanyak Dala, Aaron Carpenter (capt.). RES: Ray Barkwill, Hubert Buydens, Tom Dolezel, Jebb Sinclair, John Moonlight, Sean White, Nathan Hirayama, Nick Blevins.

FIJI
Simeli Koniferedi; Adriu Delai, Nemani Nadolo, Leone Tabuarua, Aisea Natoga; Setareki Koroilagilagi, Nemia Kenatale; Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Tale Tuapati, Setefano Somoca; Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Wame Lewaravu; Apisai Naikatini, Malakai Ravulo, Akapusi Qera (capt.). RES: Viliame Veikoso, Campese Ma’afu, Manasa Saulo, Iliesa Ratuva, Sam Matavesi, Aporosa Kenatale, Jiuta Lutumailagi, Iliesa Salusalu.