IAIN Balshaw knows exactly what the British and Irish Lions are going through as they prepare for their third Test decider against the All Blacks.

It was back in 2001, that the Blackburn-born back was part of the Lions squad heading for a winner-takes-all clash with Australia with the series finely poised.

Now 16 years on, the Lions find themselves in the same position as they travel to Eden Park on the verge of creating their own piece of history.

Balshaw, who played in all three Tests in Australia, firmly believes the Lions can triumph and seal a first series win against the All Blacks since 1971.

And the former England international, who played on the wing and at full back, says momentum is key.

“Australia had it going in to that third Test and the Lions have it this time,” said Balshaw, who came on as a replacement in all three matches. “We battered them in the first Test and were on top in the second until two interception tries early in the second half suddenly swung the game in their favour.

“They went on to win and took that momentum in to the third Test which they won to clinch the series.

“That is why winning that second Test in Wellington was so important. Obviously the Lions squared the series up but they have that momentum going in to Saturday.”

Balshaw is wary of a ‘Black-lash’ as the Kiwis will be going all out to avenge the defeat at the Westpac Stadium but says the Lions are capable of winning.

“It will take a monumental effort because the All Blacks will come out all guns blazing,” added Balshaw, who was a part of the England World Cup winning team in 2003. “The Lions will have to be on top of their game, take their chances, cut out the indiscipline and defend like they have never defended before. But they can do it.

“I know they won the second Test playing against 14 men for the best part of an hour but they showed in that match, and also glimmers in the first Test, just what they are capable of.

“The Lions can go out there and create their own bit of history.”

The 38-year-old, who retired three years ago, says playing for the Lions is something he will cherish forever but admits he did not realise just what it meant to pull on the famous red jersey at the time.

“Being a Lion is a massive honour but, to be honest, I did not fully appreciate what it really meant,” said the former Bath, Gloucester and Biarittz player. “I was only 21 and pretty new to international rugby and suddenly I was in the Lions squad and did not really know what to expect.”

It took the heartache of missing out on the New Zealand tour four years later to hammer home just what it meant.

“I was in the squad and got injured the day we were supposed to leave,” he recalls. “I was absolutely gutted because then, four years older and four years wiser, I knew exactly what it meant to be a Lion, how special it was.”

While Balshaw was involved in eight of the 10 matches in Australia, scoring two tries and coming on as a replacement in the three Tests, he says he has mixed emotions from a playing point of view.

But he says that will never take anything away from what the Lions mean to him and the important role they still have to play in rugby.

“It didn’t quite go to plan for me,” said Balshaw who still lives in Biarittz with his wife Kate and three children Hope, Felix and Coco.

“I came on as a replacement in the first match against Western Australia and I was tackled and my rib popped out

“I got a couple of tries which was a very proud moment for me. But after that, I missed the next match, and although I was involved in a lot of the matches and came on in all three Tests, I felt that, because of the injury I was always playing catch up.”

Of the Lions ‘brand’ itself, Balshaw added: “It’s something that possibly shouldn’t work but it does.

“For four years you are battering these players in the Six Nations, in Europe and in the league then suddenly you are thrown together to form a team.

“But you forge some incredible bonds and lasting friendships and it is something that only a select band of players get to experience.

“Being a Lion is something I will cherish and remember for ever.”