The British & Irish Lions are likely to face full-strength Super Rugby sides when they head to New Zealand on their 2017 tour.The Lions, who play their first match just a week after the Aviva Premiership and PRO12 finals, face a fiercely difficult schedule on their 10-game tour and will have to hit the ground running when they land in New Zealand.On their tour of Australia in 2013, the Super Rugby franchises were largely void of their Australia Test players but New Zealand selector Grant Fox has revealed the sides the Lions face early on -- Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders -- will be at full-strength.The Super Rugby sides will be loaded up with All Blacks early because theres a bit of time from game one to the first test and they need to play and then as we get closer to the test some of those franchises will have less access to the All Blacks as we start preparing for it, Fox told the New Zealand Herald.Warren Gatland is widely expected to be unveiled as the Lions coach on Wednesday and he knows full well just how hard it will be to beat the Super Rugby franchises, let alone the All Blacks.On Wales tour to New Zealand last summer, they lost all four matches including their midweek match against the Chiefs. Fox, though, is expecting a more competitive and challenging task awaiting their franchises come 2017.Any tour of New Zealand is going to be challenging because weve got real talent and depth here, Fox said. It will be tough for them, but the difference is Wales were down to their mid-week team and youd think a mid-week British and Irish Lions team would be stronger than Wales.But I wouldnt predict results based on that match against Wales, and I dont think there will be a mid-week Lions team as such. I think Gats, if it is him, will mix things up to give everyone an opportunity to press for test selection. The last thing hed want to do is flag early what his test team is, both for his own group and for us.Discount NFL Jerseys 2020 . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. NFL Jerseys 2020 Paypal .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. https://www.nfljerseys2020.com/ . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. NFL Jerseys 2020 . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Stitched NFL Jerseys . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament.Sauber has confirmed Marcus Ericsson will remain at the team for 2017.The announcement, made on Monday, extends Ericssons stay at Sauber to a third season. The news was widely expected in the F1 paddock due to his close ties to the teams new owners, Longbow Finance.The Swede is excited to see what Sauber can achieve with its new backers under the new regulations in 2017.It is great news that I will be racing for another year for the Sauber F1 Team, he said. I have spent two years with Sauber now, and I really feel at home. A big thanks to everyone within the team for trusting in me again. From a personal point of view, I have developed a lot as a driver during my time at Sauber. We have had ups and downs, but we always stick together and work as hard as we can.Since the new ownership, there has been a positive push in the team, so it will also be exciting to go into this new era. Many motorsport experts are becoming part of Sauber, which is a good sign for the future. For 2017 my aim is to build on my performance from the second half of this season, and to continue working hard with the team. I cannot wait for the 2017 season, so that we can make our way up to the midfield with the objective to score points on a regular basis.Teaam principal Monisha Kaltenborn has praised Ericsson for the commitment he has demonstrated in the difficult 2016 season.dddddddddddd.We are very pleased to announce that Marcus will remain our race driver for the Sauber F1 Team in 2017, she said. During the current season Marcus has again showed he is willing to go that extra mile in order to make progress. He went through very difficult times with us, but managed those very well. In the last two years, he has made significant steps in regards to his personal development, proving his skills on as well as off track, especially when circumstances are not easy.He is not only a good driver, but also an important team player who understands how to work with the team and how to motivate everyone with his positive attitude. Formula One goes into a new era in 2017, and I am confident that we can count on Marcus to bring the team back into the competition.The announcement also said Sauber will announce Ericssons 2017 teammate in due course. Felipe Nasr, who scored two valuable points for the team in Brazil, is yet to be signed for another season with the team. ' ' '