Mike Phillips scores two tries as Warren Gatland’s side sweep to a 59-8 win over the Barbarians in Hong Kong’s stifling humidity to kick things off

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Paul O’Connell also gets on the score sheet in the straightforward victory

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Brian O’Driscoll bags a brace in the 69-17 stroll against the Western Force four days later

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Leigh Halfpenny kicks 11 from 11 to highlight his goal kicking credentials

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

But Cian Healy’s tour comes to an early end with an ankle injury

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The Lions finally get a decent game in Queensland against the Reds, with Ben Youngs’ try proving crucial

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

There’s a fresh Irish injury concern with Tommy Bowe subbed off in a 22-12 win

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Sean O’Brien gets involved in the 10 tries scored in a facile 64-0 win over the Combined NSW-QLD Country

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

O’Driscoll and Conor Murray also dot down in the game against weak opposition

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Jonny Sexton gets Warren Gatland’s men off to a flying start four days later against the Waratahs

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Halfpenny kicks four conversions, four penalties and scores two tries to round off a comprehensive 47-17 victory over Michael Chieka’s niggly side

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Simon Zebo makes his first Lions start having been flown in as an injury replacement

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

With the front-line players rested ahead of the first Test, the Brumbies sniff an upset in Canberra

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Rory Best has a rough day at the office as captain, with his line-out throwing malfunctioning in a 14-12 defeat

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Sam Warburton gets his men riled up for the first Test

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

George North bursts away to score a wonderful individual try

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Israel Folau dots down twice, before the Lions target Michael Hooper in the centre, allowing Alex Cuthbert to cross the whitewash

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Kurtley Beale slips as he attempts a late penalty and the Lions escape with a 23-21 win

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Tom Court becomes the latest Irish Lion, appearing off the bench in a 35-0 win over the Melbourne Rebels

©INPHO/Billy Stickland

North and Folau combine for one of the most memorable moments of the tour in the second Test

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The Wallabies deservedly score a 74th minute try through Adam Ashley-Cooper against a negative Lions side

©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Halfpenney has a long-range penalty attempt to steal it in the last minute, but the Lions are deserved 15-16 losers

©INPHO/Billy Stickland

The tourists’ scrum massacres the Wallabies’ scrum in Test three to ensure an easy victory

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Sexton is one of four try scorers in a 41-16 win at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The injured O’Connell and dropped O’Driscoll join in the celebrations as the Lions win their first series since 1997

©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Like rugby? Follow TheScore.ie’s dedicated Twitter account @rugby_ie >

Gatland recommends quota system is considered for future Lions tours