There will be massive expectation on Lions to do well in New Zealand - Steve Hansen

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen believes British and Irish Lions will have to deal with the massive expectation that may weigh them down in the upcoming tour.

Lions will be on a 10-game tour to New Zealand which includes three Tests against back to back World Champions All Blacks and head coach Warren Gatland has already announced a 41-man squad spread across England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

With at least 20,000 people Lions supports are expected to travel to New Zealand, Hansen believes it will be a challenge for the team to handle the pressure.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "The Lions would be foolish to think that there's not an expectation there for them to do well.

"There will be a massive expectation on them. If you're a Lions fan, you'd look at it and say, 'We've got four countries going into one against the opposition, we should be able to beat these blokes'. That is an expectation to be dealt with.

"We have our own expectations. People expect us to win, too. We don't get to avoid it. But it's something that we live with all the time. And have had to learn to deal with. And the Lions will have to learn to deal with it. And I'm not sure.

"Each team has its own unique way of dealing with it.

"My point is that 20,000 will be coming out with a massive expectation. Yes, they want to see some good rugby but they also want to see the Lions win."