Western Force v British & Irish Lions, Perth
Force will 'take Lions apart limb by limb'
ESPN Staff
June 3, 2013
Who's boss? Manu Tuilagi is pinned down by defence coach Andy Farrell during a Lions training session, Langley Park, Perth, June 3, 2013
Who's boss? Manu Tuilagi is pinned down by defence coach Andy Farrell during the Lions' first training session in Perth © Getty Images
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Western Force captain Matt Hodgson has promised his side will give the British & Irish Lions a brutal welcome when the two sides meet in Perth on Wednesday, while Australia's coach Robbie Deans added the Force "'will really look to take them apart limb by limb".

"We're going to give them a solid performance and hopefully hurt a few of their bodies," Hodgson warned. "We always rise to that underdog tag. We always like taking on the top teams and putting in good performances. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I think any loss is going to be a blow to them. They've probably come out and pencilled in victories in most of their games leading up to the Test matches."

Hodgson's comments were endorsed by Force scrum-half Brett Sheehan. "We want it to be an extremely physical game. We want them to know they've been in a battle. There were a few little things that got under their skin [in Hong Kong] so maybe we'll do a little bit of the same.

"They're going to target players. I'm sure they've been watching us. They know who they're going to target so it'll be a good battle."

And Australia's coach Robbie Deans also piled in. "The next time they hit the ground, it'll be a very different game when they meet the Force on Wednesday. And I'm picking the Force will really look to take them apart limb by limb. And that's what hopefully they'll get for the duration of the tour."

Fir for purpose ... Paul O'Connell, Tommy Bowe and Jonathan Davies during a recovery session © PA Photos
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