LAND Rover is doing its bit to support the British and Irish Lions during their tour of New Zealand.

As a principal partner of the rugby tourists, the company has supplied a fleet of all-new Discovery models to support the team in their test series against back-to-back world champions the All Blacks.

It is the seventh time Land Rover has been involved in a Lions' tour and it's a relationship that has spanned more than 20 years.

The company has supplied 56 vehicles to be used throughout the tour to transport kit, VIPs and other guests.

And it is an opportunity to showcase the all-new Discovery which was launched earlier this year and offers seven-seat versatility and go-anywhere capabilities.

Also utilised are a fleet of Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports.

James McKee, marketing manager for Land Rover New Zealand, said: "The Lions have had 21 Discovery models in three pods of seven spread throughout the country.

"They are perfect for transporting players, kit and other equipment used for training and prove more practical than using a coach."

But while all the branding and 4x4s whizzing round the city is the ‘in-your-face' side of the Land Rover partnership with rugby, the company is also involved in a very important behind-the-scenes initiative that receives far less publicity.

Land Rover is a big supporter of the 'grassroots project' which helps support rugby of all standards encouraging youngsters from all walks of life to take up the sport.

In New Zealand Land Rover works with some of the best school players in the country and we were treated to a visit to Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland which has produced some of the finest All Black players to grace the world of rugby.

We were accompanied by two legends of the game - Kiwi scrum half Justin Marshall and Ireland's former centre Brian O'Driscoll to see just why the school has been so successful.

The ex-players tested the youngsters skill sets by putting together some rugby drills and passed on plenty of tips.

And of course there were Land Rover Discoverys on hand to wow the youngsters and encourage them to aim high.

Lions tours take place every four years and after the current tour of New Zealand they will visit South Africa in 2021.