Hungry Lions turn to Squid Game in bid for 98-year first

After shaking off the effects of their happy hangovers, the British and Irish Lions turned to Squid Game as they attempt to highlight the class of 2025 in the history books with a clean sweep of the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday.

The Lions, who tour the southern hemisphere every four years, have not swept a Test series since making short work of Argentina 3-0 way back in 1927.

This ruthless squad, led by Andy Farrell and Maro Itoje, have not hidden their desire for greatness and to be recognised as one of the best Lions teams ever.

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Maro Itoje of the British & Irish Lions celebrates their victory.

Realistically, even a clean sweep of the world's sixth-ranked Wallabies will not put them close to the likes of the 1974 Lions, who won 21 games and drew one in an epic tour of South Africa that earned them 'The Invincibles' moniker.

But you can only beat who is put in front of you.

"If we can make it a 3-0 series, that's amazing. Everyone's going to be gunning for that," star Lions playmaker Finn Russell said.

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The Lions downed Guinness and champagne on Sunday and were allowed Monday off to relax and explore a sun-drenched Sydney with friends and families.

It was back to business at Shore School on Tuesday - but with an unusual twist.

Farrell dispatched assistant coach John Fogarty and other staffers to set up the training field at the private school with a Lions version of Squid Game, the hit Korean dystopian TV thriller.

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"The whole field was covered in equipment," Lions assistant Andrew Goodman said.

"The staff were dressed up in all that kit, the speakers were all set up, a bit of fun stuff like that to get a bit of energy back in the group. We had a 'green light, red light,' the whole field was covered in different things they could hide behind, and they had people in the top tier keeping an eye on people. It was good craic."

Sadly that part of the session was not open to media.

The Lions gather during a warm up cricket match.

Goodman said Ireland prop Thomas Clarkson was the first to be killed off but would not divulge the winner.

The Lions have also enjoyed mixing up training with some cricket and hurling to warm up throughout the nine match tour of Australia.

"He's always about having fun as a group," Goodman said of former league star Farrell.

Owen Farrell plays hurling.

"The mini-team stuff, the little challenges he'll have at the start of meetings, there's always a bit of craic, a bit of a laugh involved.

"It keeps the boys engaged and fresh and it's not just going into a meeting where it's rugby all the time. There are little bits like that that make it enjoyable as well."

Farrell names his team for the third Test on Thursday and he is likely to make multiple changes to keep players fresh.

Centre Garry Ringrose has again been ruled out with concussion but Australian exports Mack Hansen (foot) and Sione Tuipulotu (hamstring) are back at training, along with lock Joe McCarthy (foot).

"Garry was playing some amazing rugby through this tour, and it's been a dream of his for so long to represent the Lions, and he's managed to do that," Goodman said.

"But he wanted to be a Test match Lion, so it's been devastating for him. Everyone knows Garry's a great lad and a great team man.

"The boys have all been disappointed for him. He's obviously disappointed himself, but he's getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare them as much as he can. He's a real leader for us in terms of a backline in particular."

Meanwhile, Wallabies lock Nick Frost said there was no shortage of motivation from the hosts after being made aware of the 98-year feat the Lions were hunting.

"Any game you play, especially for your country, any Test match is big to get up for. So we're really looking forward to the weekend," Frost said.

"There's a bit of fire in the belly from the last couple of games, and you're playing in Sydney, for a lot of the boys, that's home town. You're playing for your nation, playing for your family first and foremost too."