LIONS ARE ON TRACK

So now that the Queensland Reds are out of the way, you’d say that the Lions tour really has started. With the first real test completed, it’s time for the Lions to push on and use their latest win to start their preparations for the tests against Australia.

The Good

As I have said, the first test has been negotiated well. Despite an early scare against the Reds, the Lions battled back well and closed the match out with the professionalism and skill required. That is what will please Warren Gatland the most – his side proved that they can up their game when they have to. After two easy games to ease themselves in, the Lions appear to really be hitting their stride now.

However, the best part of the game (for me anyway) was Luke Morahan’s incredible solo try in the first half. Before the game many were touting Rod Davies as the dangerous winger on the Reds’ team, but Morahan made a nuisance of himself all game and fully deserved his try which he took well.

The Lions on the other hand will be satisfied with the improvements they have made since last Wednesday’s game against the Western Force. Especially in the scrum where the front row managed to make their driving dominance pay off with plenty of penalties being awarded by stand-in referee Jerome Garces. The line-out operated fairly smoothly as well, a change from the usual mistake-ridden performances we’ve been used to recently.

The Bad

Much like Ulster this season, the Lions started poorly. While they weren’t punished for it, the Reds had the lion’s share of possession (pun intended) and should have probably scored again in the first half. While the Reds could not take advantage of their ascendancy, Australia will have the precision and talent to finish off the chances that the Reds did not.

But for that, however, Warren Gatland will be very happy with his side’s performance.

The Ugly

The list of injured Lions has now reached four. After Gethin Jenkins’ late withdrawal for Saturday’s match it finally came to light that he would miss the tour completely and he became the second loosehead prop to be ruled out after Cian Healy’s injury against the Force proved to be tour-ending also.

However it is the most recent injury that concerns Ulster fans most – Tommy Bowe breaking a bone in his hand. Bowe may return before the end of the tour, but as a precaution Simon Zebo has been called up to the squad as cover. Every Lions and Ulster fan will be hoping for good news in the aftermath of his operation.

On the upside though, the injury list looks likely to be reduced to three as Rob Kearney is set to play some part against the Waratahs on Saturday. Warren Gatland will be very relieved at this – he’s well overdue some good news on the injury front.

Country clash

To say tomorrow’s match is an experimental game would be an understatement – the NSW-QLD side has been put together at short notice for this one-off match, and some of their players are no better than some AIL players from Ireland. This should be no more than a formality for the Lions.

That’s not to say that there are no talented players in the Country side. Beau Robinson played for the Reds on Saturday against the Lions, while Tim Metcher and Phoenix Battye both have previous experience of the Lions this summer too. Nevertheless, it still should be a sizable scoreline in favour of the Lions.

Rory Best will provide the Ulster representation, this time off the bench though. He has a lot of ground to make up on Youngs and Hibbard though, after Saturday’s match. Stuart Hogg will get a rare start at fly-half too as Warren Gatland looks to avoid relying on just Owen Farrell and Jonathan Sexton. In some ways it is also an experimental side for the Lions as well. You will still back a hefty win for the tourists however.

Time for the Lions to go hunting for a big morale boosting win…

British & Irish Lions vs. New South Wales-Queensland Combined Country

Tuesday 11^th June, 10:30

Hunter Stadium, Newcastle, Australia

Warm-up match

Live on Sky Sports 2

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

15. Sean Maitland (Scotland), 14. Alex Cuthbert (Wales), 13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), 12. Jamie Roberts (Wales), 11. George North (Wales), 10. Stuart Hogg (Scotland), 9. Conor Murray (Ireland); 1. Alex Corbisiero (England), 2. Richard Hibbard (Wales), 3. Dan Cole (England), 4. Richie Gray (Scotland), 5. Ian Evans (Wales), 6. Sean O’Brien (Ireland), 7. Justin Tipuric (Wales), 8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland).

16. Rory Best (Ireland), 17. Ryan Grant (Scotland), 18. Matt Stevens (England), 19. Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), 20. Toby Faletau (Wales), 21. Mike Phillips (Wales), 22. Jonathan Davies (Wales), 23. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales).

NEW SOUTH WALES-QUEENSLAND COMBINED COUNTRY (Likely team)

15. Nathan Trist (Sydney University), 14. Tom Cox (ACT Brumbies), 13. Tereta-Junior Siakisini (GC Breakers), 12. Alex Gibbon (S Districts), 11. Dale Ah-Wong (B-Trinity Bulls), 10. Angus Roberts (Melbourne Rebels), 9. Michael Snowden (Western Force); 1. Haydn Hirsimaki (SC Stingrays), 2. Joshua Mann-Rea (ACT Brumbies), 3. Tim Metcher (S Districts), 4. Phoenix Battye (Western Force), 5. Blake Enever (Queensland Reds), 6. Jarrad Butler (Queensland Reds), 7. Beau Robinson (Queensland Reds), 8. Tim Davidson (Melbourne Rebels).

16. Tom Kearney (Noosa Dolphins), 17. Rikki Abraham (Teachers West), 18. Dylan Evans (Wanderers RUC), 19. Richard Stanford (E Suburbs), 20. Trent Dyer (Melbourne Rebels), 21. Adam McCormack (Hastings Valley), 22. Lewie Catt (Wanderers RUC), 23. Ben Greentree (The Cockatoos).

Referee: Jerome Garces (FFR)