If there is a constant theme in the history of the British & Irish Lions, it’s that there’s never enough time to get everyone on the same page before departure, never enough time to get a decent look at everyone before settling on a team for the first Test. If only they had more time.
There was no mention of that in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium as the head coach, Andy Farrell, shared the runners and riders going to the first fence, against Argentina on Friday night. Maro Itoje will captain the Lions for the first time. He leads a starting XV that features Marcus Smith at full-back and will be directed by the England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith.
Tadhg Furlong will be given the opportunity to prove his fitness after struggling with a calf injury that ruled him out of Leinster’s United Rugby Championship final victory over the Bulls. Furlong is included on a bench that also features hooker Ronan Kelleher, the only player to be involved against the Pumas six days after taking part in the end-of-season finals.
Farrell’s injury list looks like being clear by next week – it will most likely be clouded over somewhat by the final whistle against the Pumas – but for now it’s a good place to be. The players not distracted by club calls got a head start over the five days in camp in Portugal; since then they’ve been joined by the next wave who quickly got up to speed.
“It’s quite a diverse group in terms of combinations and guys not playing with each other,” Farrell says. “So it’s nice for that group to have a week where they get settled in and for the other guys to join them – some on a high, one not – but it’s nice for them to have a bit of time to spend with the lads, get to know everyone and see what’s been going on, and they’ve had one training session together so it was nice to get everyone together finally.”
What does the coach expect against Argentina? “Cohesion – connection,” he replied. “An ability to attack the game from the off to be the best version of themselves, not just individually, but collectively as well, so you can’t give yourself excuses as far as time together, et cetera. We’ve had good prep, and if you want to be a good Lions player you’ve got to hit your straps straight from the off. So we want to see these players compete.”
At the same time Farrell acknowledged that getting to grips with a new system was one of the hills to be climbed. Surely it’s not compatible to tick all those boxes at short notice against a Pumas side he repeatedly described as one playing very good rugby over the last 18 months? If it’s a climb then Tadhg Beirne doesn’t consider it grade one.
“Why wouldn’t they be compatible?” he said. “You’re talking about world-class players here, the best of the best. The expectation we would have of each other is that you can adapt to any system you’re given.
after newsletter promotion
“That’s the challenge laid in front of us. That’s the challenge of being a Lion. Every four years, there’s going to be a new system. The coach is going to want to play a certain way. If you want to be a Lion, you’re going to have to adapt or you’ll get left behind.”
So, full steam ahead on Friday night against quality opposition. “Yeah, when we played them [Argentina] back in November with Ireland they really put it to us,” Beirne added. “We probably just got over the line in the end and it’ll be no different come Friday. It’ll be their World Cup final on Friday and that’s the way we’re going to treat it as well. Every game you get to play for the Lions is the most important game. This Friday for us is a huge opportunity for us to set the tone for the tour.”
For players suchas Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu and Furlong, all of whom are desperate for minutes after injury lay-offs, it’s the perfect platform. Is Farrell praying it stays that way till the squad fly out to Perth on Saturday?
“That’s the furthest thing from my mind, because, you know, it’s just the nature of sport in general,” he says. “Never mind a contact sport that we love to watch and play. It is what it is, you know, and we certainly, in the back of our minds, wish that we’ll have a healthy squad going to Australia.”
