Powerful wing George North is fit to face the Wallabies in the opening Test on Saturday and help the British and Irish Lions forget their first non-Test defeat in Australia in 42 years. Assistant coach Rob Howley on Wednesday said his fellow Welshman had fully recovered from a hamstring strain. The flying winger passed a fitness test Wednesday morning following the 14-12 loss to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Tuesday night. "I've never seen him in better shape and he's available for selection which is a huge fillip for us," Howley said.

The British and Irish Lions crashed to their first loss on tour in Australia Tuesday when they were upset 14-12 by the tenacious ACT Brumbies just days out from the opening Test against the Wallabies. The Lions, fielding six injury reinforcements, were incohesive and nervous and were physically beaten at the breakdown by the Australian Super Rugby conference leaders, themselves missing six Wallabies in camp.

The British and Irish Lions suffered their first loss on tour in Australia Tuesday when they were upset 14-12 by the ACT Brumbies, who put in a tenacious defensive performance. Just four days out from the opening Test with the Wallabies, the injury-hit Lions were uncharacteristically nervous and hesitant in the face of the Brumbies determination. It was the first win by a provincial side against the Lions since Queensland beat the tourists in 1971 and they were also only the sixth Australian side to keep the Lions try-less.

Result from a tour match between the British and Irish Lions and the ACT Brumbies on Tuesday: ACT Brumbies 14 British and Irish Lions 12 H-t: 8-3 afp