Liam is Australia-bound to follow Lions

Sports commentator Georgie Thompson puts the four British and Irish Lions fans through their paces with an ice-bath challenge prior to them flying out to Australia to complete in a range of outlandish challenges against local fans while they follow The Tour around the country. From left to right they are Andrew Donovan, Scott Johnson, Georgie Thompson, Ben Stack and Liam McGuigan.

Liam’s bid to win a place in Oz was detailed in the ‘MAIL’ and we’re pleased to announce his townsfolk and countrymen got behind him and voted to send him to see the Lions.

23-year-old Liam said: “This is really a trip of a lifetime to me. I can’t wait to take in the culture of Australia, meeting lots of different people and, obviously, winning the challenges.

“Brian O’Driscoll is my favourite Lions player. I’ve looked up to him for a long time and he has the qualities of a captain that I aspire to have myself as captain of Clan na Gael. He’s respected by everyone and seems like a nice guy that you could have a pint with.

“My biggest fear about going to Australia is snakes. I hate snakes.”

Along with rugby fanatics from England, Scotland and Wales, Liam flew out to Australia on Saturday. This Saturday he’ll be in Brisbane for the first test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions.

The four winners who will be travelling to Australia are Englishman Ben Stack, from Felixstowe in Suffolk; Welshman Andrew Donovan from Cardiff; Scotsman Scott Johnston from Glasgow and Lurgan’s own Liam McGuigan.

Sports commentator Georgie Thompson put the four British and Irish Lions fans through their paces prior to them flying out to Australia where they’ll be competing in a range of outlandish challenges against local fans while they follow the tour around the country.

All of them took part in a training camp with Georgie Thompson on Friday near London Heathrow including testing their endurance by sitting in an ice bath.

The four fans won this chance of a lifetime through a competition called The Mane Event, organised by Microsoft search engine Bing and Qantas Airways, the Spirit of Australia.

While out in Australia, they will be pitted against local rugby fans in a series of challenges including a classic ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition, sheep shearing and singing national anthems with the Lions Choir against the Qantas Choir - to prove, once and for all, who are the most passionate fans.

Georgie Thompson said: “It’s been great to spend time with The Mane Event team that’ll take on Australian rugby fans in these random yet brilliant challenges over the next three weeks - and put them through their paces to ensure they are up to the job.”