SM
Dortmund vs. PSG: 14 hrs 31 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Steve Tandy admits Lions must make "massive decisions" for South Africa Test

:Headline: Steve Tandy admits Lions must make 'massive decisions' for South Africa Test:
The Scot has an Achilles injury.
Sports Mole

The British and Irish Lions begin preparations for Saturday's crucial first Test against South Africa from a position of strength, with only Finn Russell ruled out of the Cape Town Stadium collision.

The starting XV and bench to face the Springboks are close to be being finalised following a selection meeting on Sunday that lasted almost two hours and the few outstanding calls will be made by the end of Monday.

Warren Gatland's options are improved by the near-clean bill of health to have blessed the Lions six matches into their tour, leaving Achilles injury-victim Russell as the only unavailable player.

Liam Williams (left) has almost recovered from concussion (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Full-back Liam Williams undertakes the final stage of the return to play protocols for concussion on Monday and, if he passes, he will resume training the following morning.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones and centre Robbie Henshaw came through their comebacks from respective shoulder and hamstring injuries in Saturday's rout of the Stormers unscathed to stay in Test contention.

Defence coach Steve Tandy admits there will be some unhappy players when Gatland announces the team to the squad but stresses that the series spans three Tests so more opportunities will arise.

"There are going to be massive decisions. There are going to be a lot of unlucky players," Tandy said.

Steve Tandy (left) and Warren Gatland (right) were involved in a lengthy selection meeting on Sunday (Andrew Milligan/PA)

"We had an initial selection meeting last night (Sunday) which was a long one, covering all bases, because a lot of people have put their hands up. It's a great place for us as coaches to be.

"We were becoming clearer and clearer as we went along, but it was one of the toughest things I have ever been involved in because so many people have been putting their best foot forwards.

"In other tours maybe people have played themselves out of the Test match 23, whereas all of our boys have really put their hands up in and around performances and the way they've been training.

"There will be bitter disappointment, but I believe that in this squad there's such a tight connection that everyone will be geared up to winning that first Test, whether you are in the 23 or not.

The Lions defeated the Stormers 49-3 in their last match before the Test series (Steve Haag/PA)

"You want to pick from a healthy group and from a group where ultimately everyone is putting their hand up for that selection because that shows the depth of the squad.

"Over the three Tests people will probably come in and out of the team and we'll need that depth right throughout the series."

Only once before have the Lions bounced back from a defeat in the first Test to win the series – Finlay Calder's class of 1989 hold that distinction – to leave Gatland's men fully aware of the stakes this weekend.

A procession against modest provincial opposition now makes way for the business end of the tour and prop Tadhg Furlong is relishing what lies in wait at Cape Town Stadium.

"It's big boy rugby, on a big stage. You can feel it around the place. It has a lot of importance on it – rugby players in general rise to these occasions, with that internal want to do well," Furlong said.

"It's nervous. Everyone's a little bit on edge. We're into the nitty-gritty of the tour now and it means a lot to people, so everyone is just waiting to see how it pans out – if you are in or out of the team.

"It means so much to me, not to get personal about it but I have been through a rough year with injury etc.

"But there was always a light at the end of the tunnel where you are trying to get on a Lions tour and to do something special with this group of players."

body check tags ::

amp_article__455985 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-19 12:11:33:
html db last update - 2021-07-19 12:10:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Finn Russell

Click here for more stories about British and Irish Lions

Share this article now:
BA
Read Next:
Warren Gatland facing tough selection decisions for first Test
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Finn Russell Steve Tandy Liam Williams Warren Gatland Wyn Jones Robbie Henshaw Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Warren Gatland facing tough selection decisions for first Test
Vinicius Junior nets brace to earn Real Madrid first-leg draw at Bayern
Preview: Mirra Andreeva vs. Aryna Sabalenka - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Bayern vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PB

Chelsea planning shock move for Man City attacker?

2

CP

Bayern's Kane breaks Champions League record in Real Madrid draw

3

BK

Serie A title winner 'rejects move to Man United, Liverpool'

4

SA

Fernandes delivers update on Man United future

5

FD

Ipswich on brink of promotion after win over Coventry

6

IO

MasterChef 2024 contestants: Comeback heat one - Lyndsay in profile

7

M2

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

8

TW

Preview: Chelsea vs. Spurs - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PC

Arsenal 'offer new contract to 32-year-old midfielder'

10

A'


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .