Sam Warburton believes Ireland's drought breaking win over New Zealand will have fans believing in the Lions.

Welsh captain Sam Warburton has always had belief that his team could beat the All Blacks.

But with Ireland doing just that in 2016, Warburton thinks fans will be believing the All Blacks can be beaten, particularly during the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

He suggests the air of invincibility the All Blacks had in the mind of fans, particularly from those nations who hadn't beaten New Zealand in test rugby, has eased.

"Ireland's win against the All Blacks was probably better from a fans perspective," Warburton said.

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"Players who play international rugby will always believe they can win matches, but I think what it did was probably put a bit more faith in fans, and probably a bit more faith in the Lions going to New Zealand."

Warburton said any team that lines up against the All Blacks, in the top tier of test rugby, will have faith they can get a win.

He's not saying it's easy. Just do-able.

Fans, however, are less convinced when their team lines up, and can sometimes take a victory in limiting the score against the All Blacks, or keeping things respectable.

Now they have more room for optimism.

"I think it's probably been more important from a fans perspective, because they've become more excited now they've seen Ireland beat New Zealand. They'll believe the Lions can do the same as well."

Warburton noted just how hard their task will be in coming to New Zealand.

"I think playing against New Zealand on a Lions tour, they've only been successful once before, I think back in 1970-something. So obviously it's the most difficult tour, historically, that the Lions can go on.

"For the players, the greater the challenge the greater the opportunity. I would personally love that as a player, so for the guys going out there, there's no bigger challenge than to beat the All Blacks with the British and Irish Lions.

"For players who are picked, it will be a massive privilege and incentive for them."

Warburton will be in a race to be fit for the Lions tour, suffering a leg injury which will see him out for over a month.