The British and Irish Lions paid tribute to Ian McLauchlan ahead of their first tour match in Australia. The Scotland prop, who played eight Test matches for the Lions in the 1970s, died earlier this month at the age of 83. A ferocious scrummager, McLauchlan was short on stature but huge in heart and nicknamed Mighty Mouse for his fearsome commitment to the cause. A Lions jersey bearing McLauchlan鈥檚 name and number was placed in the away dressing room before the match against Western Force in Perth on Saturday. The Ayrshire loosehead played 30 times in total for the Lions and was a key player in the Test series victories over New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. 鈥淓veryone at the British & Irish Lions sends our heartfelt condolences to the McLauchlan family at this incredibly sad time,鈥 said Ieuan Evans, the Lions chair and tour manager. 鈥淢ighty Mouse had a huge impact on the Lions across two highly successful Tours. To win back-to-back Lions series in New Zealand and then South Africa is a phenomenal achievement. 鈥淣ot only was he a key part of the last side to win a Lions Series against the All Blacks in 1971, but he then went on to become one of the legendary invincibles from South Africa in 1974. Mighty Mouse was a huge character – adored by Lions and Scotland fans alike.鈥 McLauchlan won 43 caps for Scotland, 19 as captain, and Ian McGeechan remembered him as an inspiring team-mate. 鈥淚 played a lot of my rugby for Scotland with the Mouse,鈥 McGeechan said on Sky Sports. 鈥淗e was 5ft 8in and 15 stone but such a competitor. He was also a mentor, and as a new player coming in he was really supportive. 鈥淎ndy Irvine and I came in together and he just drove players to perform. He captained Scotland 19 times but he also grew in the Lions environment. He played eight Tests, won five of them, drew two and lost one across two tours. 鈥淗e positively influenced everyone around him. He was a great man and it鈥檚 a big loss.鈥 His funeral will be held at 11am on Wednesday at the Round Church in Bowmore, Islay.