Warren Gatland, Graham Rowntree, British Lions, All Blacks, Highlanders
Warren Gatland and Graham Rowntree will expect another solid effort from the LionsDavid Rogers/Getty Images

With the big match against New Zealand getting closer and closer, the British & Irish Lions will look to get some synergy into their team when they play the Highlanders in a tour match on Tuesday.

After suffering a loss to the Blues in a tour match last week, the British Lions bounced back nicely in their next match, beating the Crusaders 12-3 in an impressive effort.

Warren Gatland, the coach, has asked his players to step up and make a case for themselves to be named in the starting XV for the game against the All Blacks on Saturday week, and that will be the plan again for the Lions players in the latest tour game.

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Sam Warburton, Gatland's captain, will return to play this game after recovering from a minor ankle problem. Warburton will know he needs to impress against the Highlanders, because Sean O'Brien, in the last match, made a case for a start by putting on a brilliant show.

"If I play Tuesday and I still feel I'm a bit undercut, then I might not be ready for that first Test," Warburton said. "Maybe that would be the situation, or maybe I could have a blinder on Tuesday and feel absolutely fine so we'll see how it goes really.

"I definitely need more games. I've received this role as tour captain and I know there's every chance that I might not even get involved in that first Test because there's every other player."

The other big-name player looking to impress will be Dan Biggar, with the fly-half ready to go, after a concussion. Biggar will want to show he is the better option at fly-half, with Owen Farrell and Jonny Sexton as his competition.

Highlanders, British Lions, All Blacks, New Zealand, tour match
Highlanders players attend a training sessionDavid Rogers/Getty Images

At the end of the day, this game for the Lions will be about building some more confidence and momentum for the first Test against the All Blacks.

"We are building some momentum and we have improved with every game," Gatland said. "We were obviously pleased with the win against the Crusaders, especially our defence and game management, but we know the Highlanders will be another massive test for us as a squad."

Teams: Otago Highlanders: Richard Buckman, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Kayne Hammington, Luke Whitelock (C), Gareth Evans, Dillon Hunt, Jackson Hemopo, Alex Ainley, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown.

 

Replacements: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Josh Dickson, Jimmy Lentjes, Josh Renton, Marty Banks, Patrick Osborne.

 

British & Irish Lions: Jared Payne, Jack Nowell, Jonathan Joseph, Robbie Henshaw, Tommy Seymour, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Joe Marler, Rory Best, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, Iain Henderson, James Haskell, Sam Warburton (C), CJ Stander.

 

Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Greig Laidlaw, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly.

 Where to Watch live

Highlanders vs Lions in Dunedin is set to begin at 7.35pm local time, 8.35am BST, 1.05pm IST, 3.35am ET. TV and live streaming information is below.

India: TV: No live coverage.

 

New Zealand: TV: Sky Sport 1. Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ.

 

UK & Ireland: TV: Sky Sports 1. Live Streaming: Sky Go.

 

Australia: TV: Fox Sports. Live Streaming: Foxtel.

 

USA: TV: ESPN3. Live Streaming: Watch ESPN.

 

Canada: TV: TSN. Live Streaming: TSN TV.