Paul Stridgeon defends off days for Lions ahead of series decider

British and Irish Lions strengthening and conditioning coach Paul Stridgeon defended the move to hand the players a couple of days off ahead of the series decider against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.

Stridgeon, a former freestyle wrestler who represented England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games has also worked with the Lions during their 2009 and 2013 tours as well.

Having been a part of a high intensity encounter in Wellington last Saturday which saw Lions register a 21-24 win, Stridgeon believes time away from the game will help them recuperate ahead of the all important game.

"We've run this blueprint with Warren a couple of times," Stridgeon said of the Lions handing their players two days off ahead of this weekend's crucial clash in Auckland.

"We've done this in Wales a couple of times too; we did it in a big World Cup week with Wales and it paid off. Whenever we've done it we've performed well.

"With this group of players, we revisited this plan on Saturday (after the Lions won the second Test 24-21).

"So we all agreed it was still best for the team.

"We feel each game the boys have been getting better and raising that intensity.

"We feel we took the All Blacks to a level in the second Test and we feel we'll be able to go higher again this weekend."

A win on Saturday will help Lions register their first series win in New Zealand since 1971 and Stridgeon insisted that the players are aware on the need to remain focussed ahead of the historical clash.

"We've not needed to put anything like that on the players," Stridgeon said, when asked if any alcohol ban was required this week.

"There's a lot of committees, the players made their own rules at the start in conjunction with the coaches.

"The players have been very professional, all very switched on. We've not had to put a policy on the boys.

"We had a social night early on in the tour but that was very helpful for bonding."

Meanwhile, Lions team management have also confirmed that England's Anthony Watson is cleared to play in the final Test after he was hit on the head by Sonny Bill Williams during the second Test at Westpac Stadium.