Lions look to Owen Farrell to get back to winning ways

Image: Owen Farrell is fast becoming a key man for the Lions

Fly-half Owen Farrell knows he must recreate his sparkling form for England to get the faltering British and Irish Lions back to winning ways against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The young playmaker has helped Saracens to European Champions Cup glory and guided England to the Six Nations title in each of the last two years.

But he faces one of his biggest challenges on Saturday, his first start of the Lions' New Zealand tour against a Crusaders side studded with All Blacks and unbeaten this year in Super Rugby.

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The 25-year-old is under pressure to turn around the Lions' fortunes after a shock 22-16 loss to the Blues on Wednesday.

If he can do so, Farrell would cement his position as one of the Lions' key men for the three-Test series against the world champion All Blacks.

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Highlights of the Blues against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park

Despite this week's loss, Farrell said the Lions were improving but admitted the tourists needed to chalk up some wins before the first Test on June 24.

"To concede (a late try) the way we did, having fought back twice, was disappointing," he said.

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"I don't think we would want to go into the Test series having lost five games. Apart from the result, the Blues game was a step in the right direction."

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A second consecutive defeat would hit the Lions hard and they face a tough challenge against a Crusaders side who top the Super Rugby ladder with a perfect record of 14 wins.

Farrell appreciated the difficulty of the task at Christchurch's AMI Stadium.

"It only takes one moment for Crusaders to create something and show how clinical they are," he said.

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"We have to make sure we stay in games for 80 minutes. They are a quality side, they've got strengths all over, you only need to look at the team they've announced to see that."

Crusaders are fully loaded to take on the Lions, with All Blacks Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano and captain Sam Whitelock making up the tight five.

Watch Crusaders v Lions live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8am on Saturday.

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