Image source, Getty Images

Wales wing George North is one of four Lions making their first appearances of the tour in Canterbury.

The 24-year-old scored two tries in the 2013 series victory over Australia - their first Test series win in 16 years.

"We always knew the first few games were going to be ropey and not how we want to play," said North.

"And I think that was evident in 2013 as well, even though at the same stage we'd won two out of two the performances were not what we'd hoped for.

"I think the way we are now is probably better.

"You want to be tested in every game don't you? If you get that you become a better team as you go along."

Just to whet your appetite for what lies ahead this morning, Wales and Lions fly-half legend recalls tales from his touring days

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at AMI Stadium in Christchurch

It is a freezing night here at AMI Stadium on the outskirts of Christchurch - a beautiful city still sadly ravaged by the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

But unlike in Whangarei and Auckland, it is a dry evening, so is this when we will see the Lions start to click as an attacking force for the first time?

Certainly the side Warren Gatland has picked is the strongest yet as the Lions look to get this tour up and running, but this will be a significant challenge against a team yet to lose in 2017.

Ugo Monye
Former Lions and England winger

So what of the Crusaders? Well they're the most successful non-international team in the world. They have been in 11 Super Rugby finals, winning seven! Their match day squad boasts nine All Blacks. In short they're very good at rugby.

The Lions' major strength so far on tour has been their set-piece and that will be under some serious examination today as the Crusaders have the best set-piece of all the NZ franchises.

The Lions have selected their strongest team to date. Starts for Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Davies and George North, to name of few from the backline, gives me plenty of hope.

The team is littered with fighters, winners, X-factor and composure - all the attributes needed to win on New Zealand soil.

Former Lion Ugo will be live on the BBC Sport Facebook page after the match to answer your questions - visit www.facebook.com/bbcsport, external now and you’ll get a notification when he’s ready.

Image source, Getty Images

The Crusaders have eight All Blacks in their starting XV including captain Sam Whitelock and Israel Dagg.

Six of the eight All Blacks starting for the Crusaders are in the forward pack.

New Zealand regulars Owen Franks and Sam Whitelock are part of an all-international tight five.

Crusaders: I Dagg, S Tamanivalu, J Goodhue, D Havili, G Bridge, R Mo'unga, B Hall, J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, L Romano, S Whitelock (capt), H Bedwell-Curtis, M Todd, J Taufua.

Replacements: B Funnell, W Crockett, M Alaalatoa, Q Strange, J Brown, M Drummond, M Hunt, T Bateman.

Ugo Monye
Former Lions and England winger

Game Three: A "must-win game" I hear. "Well it isn't... Of course it is..."

That's been the debate since the Lions lost to the Blues on Wednesday - their first defeat of the tour.

It's not a must-win game in one sense, as clearly the success of the tour and its legacy will be based on the Test matches. However, it is a must-win if the Lions are to believe they can compete and beat the All Blacks.

Three games, two losses and one unconvincing win would hardly be ideal as they move towards playing the best team in the world on their home patch.

Ugo will be live on the BBC Sport Facebook page after the match to answer your questions - visit www.facebook.com/bbcsport, external now and you’ll get a notification when he’s ready.

App users may have to click the link to view the content.

Image source, Getty Images

Having been rested against the Blues in midweek, Lions captain Sam Warburton was due to be involved against the Crusaders.

But the Wales flanker injured an ankle in the 13-7 win over Provincial Barbarians and has been ruled out of today's game.

Other injuries include fly-half Dan Biggar, who failed a head injury assessment after a heavy tackle against the Blues on Wednesday.

And Ross Moriarty is also unavailable due to a back spasm.

Image source, Getty Images

Lions head coach Warren Gatland has stuck to his promise to give every player at least one start in the opening three games.

Experienced lock Alun Wyn Jones becomes the third Welshman to captain the Lions on this tour.

Flanker Sean O'Brien, scrum-half Conor Murray, centre Jonathan Davies and wing George North all make their first appearances of the tour.

Murray forms a half-back partnership with England stand-off Owen Farrell.

Ben Te'o partners Davies in midfield, while Liam Williams and Stuart Hogg join North in the back three.

Nine of the Lions starting XV were involved in the victorious 2013 tour to Australia.

Lions: S Hogg; G North, J Davies, B Te’o, L Williams; O Farrell, C Murray; M Vunipola, J George, T Furlong, AW Jones (capt), G Kruis, P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, T Faletau.

Replacements: K Owens, J McGrath, D Cole, M Itoje, C Stander, R Webb, J Sexton, A Watson.

Image source, Getty Images

The best club side in the world?

Crusaders are the most successful team in Super Rugby history having won seven titles.

They are the unbeaten leaders of Super Rugby this season having won 14 out of 14 games so far in the competition.

At least the Lions have responded by naming their strongest side so far...

Image source, Getty Images

"There is nothing wrong with saying that we have not played well and saying there is better to come.

"No more talk about the schedule and the difficulties in preparation - they have to pull this team together and get them playing with intensity.

"The players know the size of the challenge now. They have to embrace it, love it and prove people wrong."

Read more of Jeremy Guscott's analysis here.

Image source, Getty Images

But with this packed tour schedule, the Lions have little time to dwell on their mistakes.

The tourists are in Christchurch where they take on a second Super Rugby side - the Crusaders - who have not lost a match all season.

It has been dubbed the fourth Test.

Things are not getting any easier...

Image source, Getty Images

The Kiwi press conceded there was some "bizarre" officiating in the Lions 22-16 loss to Blues in Auckland on Wednesday and the Lions showed "slight" improvement.

But they have been pretty relentless in their questioning of the credentials of this touring side.

There was more urgency and accuracy from Warren Gatland's side in Auckland, but they were well out of their comfort zone against the Blues' offloading game and were felled by that late Ihaia West try.

Ultimately, the tourists were not good enough to beat New Zealand's lowest-ranked Super Rugby team.

Image source, Getty Images

"Blues leave Lions on brink of collapse", external

"A clunky touring machine", external

"A torrid tour looks longer by the day", external

Congratulations to those of you up and about this early on a Saturday morning.

Let's hope it's worth your while...