Lions To Roar....

Guest columnist James While gives us an insight into who should be on board, as the Lions, hopefully, tour South Africa.

Over to James...

If the planets align correctly over the next few months to see a return to play for Rugby Union, then June 2021 will see one of the sport’s greatest spectacles- the British and Irish Lions touring to play against the World Champions, South Africa.

No series is more brutal or avidly followed that this clash of rugby history and with two Tests at altitude, fitness and physicality will be key components of any successful campaign and it’s key that Warren Gatland looks to learn from the lessons of the Rugby World Cup in Japan if he wants to succeed on the High Veldt.

Lessons Learned

Much has been written about South Africa’s brutal disposal of England in November 2020. Many have cited technical areas such as scrummaging and breakdown dominance as differention points, but to unpack the game in granular detail is missing the point entirely; on the day the Springboks had more emotional intensity than England and that, far more than any tactical mismatch, was the difference between the teams.

By saying that, Gatland will be well aware of the no-frills tactics of the world champions- a world class setpiece, a pinpoint kicking game from Handré Pollard fused with the running threat of Faf de Klerk, a massive presence on the gain line and all built upon a side with a huge back five in the pack with simple pragmatic tactics from the midfield.

By saying that, Gatland will be well aware of the no-frills tactics of the world champions- a world class setpiece, a pinpoint kicking game from Handré Pollard fused with the running threat of Faf de Klerk, a massive presence on the gain line and all built upon a side with a huge back five in the pack with simple pragmatic tactics from the midfield.

He’ll also acknowledge that England hampered themselves in the final by selecting a back row with an average height and weight of 6’1” and 17 stone against a trio that boasted averages of 6’4” and 18 stone- a mismatch that meant the line out saw a battle of five primary jumpers against two, not even considering the extra heft of the Springbok flankers which offered an extra stone of muscle behind their props.

When we consider all of this, we realise that the margins will be tight, that possession and error count will be crucial and, above all, owning the scoreboard will be key. Let’s unpack the options:

Back Three:

With two tests at altitude, the ability to catch, kick and return with safety is absolutely paramount. Defence against the pacy Springbok trio, featuring the glittering feet of Cheslin Kolbe will also prove telling. Factor in too, the need to keep the scoreboard rolling with long rage penalties and we believe that Liam Williams, Stuart Hogg and Josh Adams provide the best combination of options, with the ever-capable Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson providing back up. Hogg’s inclusion means that Daly’s long range kicking skills are less important, but with an aerial bombardment on the card, Liam Williams is the lynchpin of our trio.

Centres:

The centre selection is one that pivots on one simple question; does Owen Farrell play at 10 or 12? With South Africa huge down route one, it’s pretty much a given that the Saracen will start at fly half and if that’s the case, then the proven talents of Jonathan Davies and Manu Tuilagi are certain to fill the centres, fusing pace with power and bristling aggression. They’ll be supported by Henry Slade, Robbie Henshaw and the emerging talent of the Welsh poach Nick Tompkins. One thing you can be sure of- South Africa will fear both of those Lions centres and any thought of easy line breaks will be stubbed out at source.

Half Backs:

With Farrell already a shoo-in at ten (supported by either George Ford or Finn Russell off the bench) and with Conor Murray and Rhys Webb fading from form and under pressure for their own places with their home countries, the nine jersey is far from cut and dried. Tactically, the question has to be whether you want an electric running scrum half or the powerful footballing presence of Murray to occupy the thoughts of the Bokke back row. Our considered view is that Gatland will mix and match here, starting with Murray but using pace off the bench from the new Welsh starlet, Tomos Williams.

Let’s be honest; South Africa embraces scrummaging like Brazil embraces football. It’s that simple.

Front Row:

Let’s be honest; South Africa embraces scrummaging like Brazil embraces football. It’s that simple. Key here is technical ability and the power to be stable in each setpiece. That rules out Mako Vunipola at loosehead as a starter and also places question marks over Tadgh Furlong at tighthead, who struggled against Joe Moody in NZ 2017. We’d like to hope Ellis Genge’s improvement continues but right now we need to select what is definable and for that reason, Scotland’s Rory Sutherland, a revelation in the Six Nations, must come into consideration with England’s Kyle Sinckler, a relatively low and short tighthead on the other side. Hooker will be interesting too; incumbent Jamie George is under severe pressure from Luke Cowan-Dickie and we expect the latter, a solid scrummager, to leap frog the footballing George in the next six months.

Lock:

The Lions simply do not have the size of player available for them that SA boast. To try and match the behemoth Eben Etzebeth and Loode de Jager toe for toe is impossible. There’s an outside chance that Maro Itoje may start in the back row on this tour, to add ballast and jumping ability to the back row options, but right as it stands, the starting pairing have to be Ireland’s James Ryan and Itoje, with the old war horses Alun Wyn Jones and Courtney Lawes offering experienced back up.

Back Row:

Again, size differential is insurmountable here, so Gatland will go for pace, mobility and the ability to stay on feet at rucktime (under the new ruck laws). A fit Talupe Faletau offers one of the finest number eights in world rugby, an imperious all-rounder with every skill needed. On the flanks, Tom Curry is a given, but the only question is if he starts at openside or blindside. That leaves us with a simple choice- pick a lump like Courtney Lawes to compete with power or a flyer that can win the breakdown by being first to it. We believe that pace and support might pay dividends here and the man that offers that in every aspect is the veteran Welshman, Justin Tipuric, a consummate line out force and one of the best footballing opensides in the game. Add Billy Vunipola’s 22 stone off the bench and the all-round ability of either Aaron Wainwright or Mark Wilson in reserve and you have that rarest of British rugby relics- a balanced back row unit.

Whilst our selection is based upon our own logic, we go back to our opening argument of emotional intensity. The players selected are some of the most seasoned and experienced internationals around and all are peaking at the right age. It’s going to be a remarkably tight series to call, but you can be sure that the side that plays (to paraphrase Sir Ian McGeechan) with their heart on fire and their head in the fridge will emerge victorious.

Sportato’s Lions Team for the First Test:

Williams; Adams, Davies, Tuilagi, Hogg; Farrell, Murray; Sutherland, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler; Itoje ©, Ryan; Curry, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements; Slade, Russell, Williams; M. Vunipola, George, Furlong, Lawes, AW Jones, Vunipola.