'Belief' key to beat New Zealand - Andy Farrell

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Andy Farrell stated that belief will be key to victory when they take head to New Zealand in a 10-game tour that kicks-off in June.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland announced a 41-man squad that will be led by former Wales skipper Sam Warburton in a bid to break a 46-year record - when they last defeated All Blacks in a Test.

Out of the 41 players, only 14 - eight from Ireland and six from England - have been part of a side that had defeated All Blacks previously and Farrell knows the difficulty that awaits them in New Zealand.

"It doesn't make you have any super power that you have been involved in a side that has beaten the All Blacks, because we all know on any given day, any game is different and takes its own flow," Farrell said.

"The common denominator what I've seen in being successful against the All Blacks is having players who can deal with the flow of the game as it is unfolding in front of your face.

"The game will take its own shape, and they (All Blacks) certainly will have their purple patch within all their games. It's how we can stay on track, or get back on track and get back at them.

"You have got to play our game. Everyone is aware of the All Blacks' way of playing - it's another thing stopping it.

"You can get obsessed with what the All Blacks are about, and everyone has been for a long period of time.

"You have got to play your game and understand what you are good at and how you are going to attack them with, or without, the ball.

"I think it is about the belief as a squad, belief in your team-mate at the side of you and belief in yourself when you go out there.

"I think that galvanises over the first three or four weeks (of the tour), and that will be the focus."

This weekend's European Champions Cup semi-finals will feature 17 Lions players and Farrell stressed on the importance of players gaining confidence and form leading to a gruelling tour of New Zealand.

"Quite a lot of them have got a big weekend coming up," Farrell added.

"So they need to park it (Lions) and put full steam ahead into what is coming over the next month because we want guys getting on the plane in good form.

"There might be a few ups and downs with results, etc, but we want guys buzzing, getting on that plane.

"What a game (Munster v Saracens) that is going to be. Two sides that are very confident in the way they are playing, two sides that seem to be comfortable in what they are about as men and as a team.

"I think Saracens have been masters over the last period of time of playing the game in front of them, no matter where they are playing.

"But I am sure they are aware of the army of red that is going to come to the Aviva (Stadium), and a Munster side that is bang on form at this moment in time. I wouldn't call it, I definitely wouldn't."