The British and Irish Lions have arrived in Perth to begin their nine-match, three-Test tour of Australia.

Coach Warren Gatland’s squad of Welsh, Scottish, Irish and English stars touched down on Monday ahead of their tour opener against the Western Force on Wednesday.

The Lions, who only tour once every four years, are desperate for success in Australia as they have not won a series since defeating South Africa in 1997.

They have been boosted by coming through Saturday’s 59-8 rout of a Barbarians team in Hong Kong with no major injuries and by news that captain Sam Warburton hopes to be fit for Wednesday.

The Welsh flanker missed the game in Hong Kong with a knee problem but team doctor James Robson said he was “progressing well”.

The Lions face the Wallabies in three Tests in Brisbane on June 22, Melbourne on June 29 and Sydney on July 6.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is scheduled to finalise his squad on June 11.