British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland has admitted that he will look on anxiously as a number of his players compete in domestic and European finals at the end of the season.
The 37-man squad for the summer tour of Australia meet this afternoon, but a number of individuals will then return to their domestic clubs to prepare for the latter part of the season.
"It's tough for the players in terms of they know a few days after a big game they are on the plane," he told reporters at a press conference.
"There's a bit of trepidation about not picking up injuries. But if you go in with that attitude and try and look after yourself there is more chance of picking up an injury. So the advice to those players is to go hell for leather. It should be a good battle between two forward packs in the [Aviva Premiership] final.
"You watch them hoping to see good quality rugby and hoping that those players don't pick up an injuries but in the back of your mind you have to be prepared for that."
The tour gets underway in the beginning of June.
