"Unbeaten in Australia" - Ugo Monye backs the Lions to 'peak' in time for the Test series

And Ugo Monye agrees. “The headlines are that they're unbeaten in Australia, which is great.

"They have been unfortunate with the injuries, but it's just the nature of the beast, it can be disruptive, but it's also part of the challenge of what it is to be a Lion and play away from home."

As anticipation builds for the first Test match against Australia, Monye believes the squad is exactly where it needs to be: unbeaten, battle-tested and poised to peak when it truly counts.

Monye, who starred on the 2009 tour to South Africa, knows how quickly form in the warm-up games can be forgotten once the Tests begin. While impressed with the tour so far, he’s measured in his assessment.

“I was really pleased to see something which resembles pretty close to what we will see next Saturday,” he said. I would have liked to have seen them be a bit more fluent and maybe a bit more dominant in some of the matches.”

Despite two auspicious matches against the Western Force and Queensland Reds, the Lions have stuttered to victory over the Waratahs and Brumbies. Expectation was high, particularly for last time out in Canberra, as it was arguably the strongest Lions team that Andy Farrell had selected.

Ill-discipline and poor work at the breakdown was yet again the running trend as the Lions ended the match as victors with a 24-36 scoreline. Still, Monye is confident the team is trending in the right direction.

“Winning breeds positivity. Positivity breeds momentum. And you just want to see the team peak next Saturday and certainly not before. There is no point in them blowing out every single team and then not doing the job when it matters.”

One of the main points that came out of the Lions squad announcement event at the O2 was the inclusion of Marcus Smith. There is no doubt that Smith is a mercurial player, who has been ripping up the pitch ever since his debut at 18 years old in 2017.

The fly half has endured a tricky season this year, with Harlequins struggling domestically and Smith himself suffered a couple of injury issues.

On tour, Smith has not started a match since being named at full back in the loss to Argentina. Andy Farrell has also used him primarily as a full back, initially covering in the absence of Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan.

"I think, and it was clear from the launch day, he said he's there as a 10/15 or a 15/10," said Monye. "He's a versatile player, and we know international rugby is a 23 man game and the importance of the bench.

"I don't think Marcus is going to start but depending on what they do, whether it's a five-three split or a six-two split, he's the perfect person in a six-two split and in a five-three split because of his versatility.

"I think him having the opportunity to play 15 for England has actually served him, it served a massive purpose in his inclusion within this squad. I know Marcus, and in his own mind, and I think his best position is at fly half.

"But within this tour, I think they perhaps see him as a genuine 15 options and someone that's obviously so proficient at 10."

Now, with the call-up of Owen Farrell, who is set to come off the bench against ANZAC invitational team tomorrow alongside Smith, it can be seen that Smith is being pushed permanently towards the full back position. Farrell's inclusion is perhaps the most surprising announcement to come out of the tour but it is not without cause.

"He's there with a wealth of experience", Monye said. "He’s done it four times. That just screams to his level of consistency and longevity, professionalism, dedication, sacrifice, all of that. I think that's why that's why Owen's there.

"As it stands, from what we've seen and how it's progressed, I I can't see him being a test starter. Could I see him being in the 23? Yes, I could see that."

For Monye, nothing comes close to being a Lion. "It's the greatest honor. It's the most exclusive rugby club in rugby.

"It's what every young boy and now a young girl can dream of being. Being part of that club is one of the proudest things I've ever done in my life, not just in rugby. And not everyone gets to do it. That's the harsh reality of the Lions Tour."

He reflects on George Ford, who has never worn the famous red jersey despite winning 100 caps for his country. "There's some great players that never became a Lion. I look at Ford in Argentina, about have his hundredth and first Test matches England captain who's never been a Lion.

"So when I look at it like that how lucky am I? I'm actually not lucky because anyone can win the lottery, not anyone can be on Lions tour."

Monye speaks with deep pride about his place in Lions history and about the privilege of representing the thousands of traveling fans.

“To be part of that great history, with great players, coaches, and 40,000 fans in Australia, it’s the best.”

Ultimately, Monye knows that history will judge this tour on the Test series and nothing else.

“This tour will be remembered for the Test matches,” he said. "And I hope that they perform for that."

For Monye, the message is clear: the Lions have not arrived yet and when they do, it will be sensational.