Throughout the Lions tour we have seen Gatland developing the structures he believes will beat the Springboks. While most of the games were not of the highest calibre, they have provided a useful laboratory for the Lions. By looking at Adam Beard’s try against the Stormers, we can begin to see the fruits of their labours and also some of the teething issues the Lions have had on both sides of the ball.
The sequence starts from a Stormers lineout just inside their half. This first phase gives a good indication of their breakdown policy. First the Lions rely on the tail gunner, Luke Cowan Dickie. The Exeter Chiefs hooker makes an effective low chop allowing Tadgh Beirne to compete. Beirne on this occasion is not able to grab a turnover, but there is significant disruption to the Stormers ball, and allows the Lions to comfortably set their defence.
The Stormers set for a box kick, which gives us an opportunity to look at one of the Lions biggest weaknesses. Their protection of the catch zone. Throughout their time in South Africa, the Lions have been vulnerable to letting the opposition compete and disrupt the ball. This could play a huge part in the series, especially given South Africa favour a kick based game. But what causes this issue?
The main issue for the Lions is the gap between the two Tadghs. Beirne and Furlong need to try and fill the 15m channel, and prevent the Stormers Left winger from having a free run into the catch zone. However Furlong gets slightly ahead of Beirne which leaves a route open to the catch zone for Edwill van Der Merwe. However, the blame does not lie solely with the Irish forwards. Ali Price began falling back earlier than the rest of the team, which means one less body is available to fill the 15m. More importantly though, Price runs an incredibly similar line to Furlong meaning that he is a less effective blocker.
The catch zone may be disrupted but Beirne is able to grab the ball, and passes to Hogg. The Lions immediately look to play the ball wide, with the backs having tracked back to fill the field. Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly fix their defenders, spreading the ball to Duhan Van Der Merwe.
Having reached the edge of the field, the Lions set up their 3-2 pattern. The 3-2 pattern describes the alignment of the forwards across the field. The first pod of 3 acts to fix the initial Stormers defenders, with another pod of forwards further across in the midfield. Placed behind both pods of forwards, is a playmaker. Robbie Henshaw operates behind the first pod, and Daly behind the second. Price passes to Jack Conan who then delivers a pull back pass to an arcing Henshaw.
Henshaw has to run a little flat to take the ball from Conan, which fixes Ernst Van Rhyn (Stormers 4) and prevents him drifting onto the centre field pod. Henshaw manages to free Tadgh Beirne despite the pressure who hits a half gap. Beirne lifts the ball to Jack Conan allowing the Lions to keep the pressure on the Stormers.
Following the carry from Conan the Lions attack kicks into hyperdrive, with Tadgh Furlong making a magnificent break down the centre of the field. The bust by Furlong prevents the Stormers from settling, and means they all concentrate around the ruck. A rapid follow up by Beirne keeps the pressure on before the offload keeps the attack flowing.
Adam Beard then takes a pass from second row partner Jonny Hill, before attacking the space inside the high blitzing Stormers winger. Adam Beard then exhibits some great skill to float the ball to Adam who charges forward. This wide to wide play leaves the Stormers disconnected and struggling to recover.
With the Lions now in the 22, and the Stormers in disarray, they make the final simple play to score. Scrum Half Ali Price breaks away from the base of the ruck forcing the fringe Stormer defender to jam in. Adam Beard then runs a superb out to in line, and canters through the Stormers defence.
There are lots of impressive mechanisms behind this team try, from the Luke Cowan Dickie and Tadgh Beirne breakdown work, to a wonderful use of a 3-2 edge pattern. The try does show some weaknesses that the Lions will want to patch up before the test series begins, primarily around their escort running and protecting the catch zone. Overall, though it is an incredibly well worked try which shows a small part of the Lions attacking repertoire. The test series will see parts of their game tightened up, but the skills are certainly there for the Lions to take their chances when they come.
The Analysis Guy 