Bath and England hooker Lee Mears has begun preparations for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa by training in an altitude chamber.

The 30-year-old is hoping it will give him an edge over his rivals for the number two Test shirt, Ireland's Jerry Flannery and Wales' Matthew Rees.

"The ultimate goal is to be the number one," Mears told BBC Points West.

"But I've spoken to boys who've been out on Lions tours and it's about being the best group of friends you can be."

The Lions will play two of their Tests at high altitude during the tour, the second Test at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria (1,400m above sea level) and the third at Ellis Park in Johannesburg (1,700m).

The coaching party had intended to take a pre-tour acclimatisation training camp in Spain during May but cancelled the plan last month due to a lack of player availability.

Mears began his acclimatisation work at the University of Bath a few weeks ago, under the supervision of sports scientist Jonathon Robinson, by simply spending time in the chamber just breathing.

He is now on an exercise bike for 30-minute periods, four times a week and will increase that to hour-long sessions before joining up with the Lions squad next week.

"The guys that have used it find that it's a real benefit," Robinson told BBC Points West.

"When they reach an altitude situation they're a step ahead."

Mears added: "I'll play to the best of my ability and if that's what's needed then I'll be in it.

"If I'm second or third choice then I'll accept that and try to help the boys as much as I can.

"There's nothing worse than coming back from an unsuccessful tour and you've sulked because you're not in."

The Lions squad fly out to South Africa on Monday 24 May.

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