Christchurch 'humming' ahead of Lions tonight

Christchurch is buzzing with excitement ahead of tonight's clash between the British and Irish Lions and the Crusaders - as the city robbed of 2011 Rugby World Cup games finally gets a taste of touring rugby.

After six years - and counting - of living through the effects of 2011's devastating earthquake, the build-up to tonight's match in the Garden City is proving a welcome slice of fun as tourists and locals mix in good spirits.

As members of the Lions' Barmy Army begin to march into town, business is booming as the mood around the city lifts for the much-anticipated match.

The Guinness was last night flowing in O'Sheas Public House in Shirley, with pub owner Alan Stroud describing the spirit around the city as "humming".

"It's a trickle of Lions supporters but it's been real busy with locals and absolutely humming," Stroud said.

"It's a good mix of Lions and locals. There's a good contingent of expats and even on Thursday night we were chocka.

"We've been doing promotions to give tickets away to the game, it's been awesome. There's huge interest."

Stroud said the mood around town had lifted a community which has lived through tremendous strain for years.

"It's definitely lifted the place. We really missed out on the World Cup - we actually had the Irish lads and management all lined up to come in here. So we missed out on all that stuff," he said.

"It's just great to have Lions down here. We've even got bookings for Tuesday night for people who want to watch the Highlanders' game in here as well."

Fans will have to brave tough temperatures though, with the mercury set to dip as low as 1C on game night.

While the weather should stay dry, there's expected to be an added chill in the air thanks to northwesterly winds of about 10km/h.

But while it's time for the fans to wrap up and enjoy themselves, the pressure is well and truly on the Lions and their Kiwi coach Warren Gatland.

After scraping past the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians 13-7 in their opening match of the tour, the Lions were unceremoniously rolled by New Zealand's weakest Super Rugby side midweek, going down to the Blues 22-16 at Eden Park.

Against the Crusaders tonight - our strongest Kiwi Super Rugby team and unbeaten in 2017 - successive defeats would pile the pressure on the tourists.

Making the Lions' task even tougher is the Crusaders naming seven All Blacks in their squad for tonight's game - Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Israel Dagg and Wyatt Crockett.

Lions coach Gatland will need to find a way of nullifying that talent, with the Kiwi already feeling the squeeze on home soil.

Microphones infamously caught the former Waikato player swearing at the end of a press conference this week.

"****, I don't know why I have to ****ing keep defending myself," Gatland said as he stood to leave the press room, unaware his comments were being picked up.

Gatland's outburst came after he bristled at questions from a British reporter, who was scrutinising the Lions' style of play.