The Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll leads the squad through an arch of balloons as the team arrive in New Zealand

Gavin Henson signs autographs for the supporters of the British and Irish Lions at Auckland International Airport

A crowd of around 200 Lions supporters greet the team at the airport, desperate for Jonny Wilkinson's autograph

O'Driscoll outlines his ambitions for the seven-week tour during a press conference at the airport

The Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward describes his players and staff as the "the best prepared Lions team ever"

O'Driscoll and Woodward will hope to lead the Lions to their first success in New Zealand since the 1971 tour

A huge army of Lions fans will arrive in New Zealand - an estimated 20,000 supporters are expected to follow the tour

As the players leave the airport a single All Blacks supporter performs the haka - laying down the challenge for the tourists