How can... The lions beat Australia in Australia

Whatever the outcome, I've a feeling this is going to be a great series - two world-class sides hell-bent on winning. And given how much English rugby has developed since the British Lions last toured Australia in 1989 [the Lions won the series 2-1], the tourists now have a stronger foundation to build their Test team around. The Lions squad looks pretty bulletproof to me, with guys like Ireland's Keith Wood and Brian O'Driscoll added to the best of the English: Wood will be on fire, you can be sure of that, and O'Driscoll - well, the kid has a unique talent.

The key to a Lions victory will probably revolve around the fly-half position. The Aussies expect England's Jonny Wilkinson to be wearing the Number 10 jersey by the time of the first Test. There are some in Australia who doubt his ability at the highest level, but I'm not one of them. He has a lot of toughness in what is a brutal position in the modern game, and most Aussies respect him for that. I think he'll prove a formidable player on this tour and he's definitely going to be a major factor in the result of the series.

If Wilkinson is to be able to win the series, though, the Lions will have to win the battle up front. This will be very difficult, especially in the front row, where we are always very strong. The second rows look evenly matched to me - you can take it as read that the Lions captain Martin Johnson will be up for it.

But for me the back row is the area where the series can be lost and won. If Australia win that battle, Jonny Wilkinson won't have any decent ball to make things happen. I'm particularly looking forward to the flankers' battle between Neil Back and George Smith. I think that'll be a cracking match-up. You might even say that if Back wins that personal battle then the Lions can win the series.

I think the watchword for the Lions is continuity. Their coach Graham Henry likes to play a game based around continuity, but this time he has the players to carry out his gameplan. There has been talk that he might not get on with the English players, but that's rubbish. He's a professional who will do anything to make sure the Lions win.

This is going to be a tour which really captures the public's imagination. The Lions will give rugby union a huge boost Down Under and I for one can't wait. It will be close, but I have to go with my heart and pick the Aussies to reverse the defeat of 1989 and win the series 2-1.

• Simon Poidevin is commentating on the Lions series for Channel 7 which can be heard via Sky Digital's interactive coverage.