When I saw the team sheet for the Lions against Japan, I tried to work out the game plan they were likely to use to win this tricky opening match.
The Japanese have developed a high tempo game where they move the ball away from contact quickly and constantly change their point of attack. They’re not a team that like to get involved in an arm wrestle. Their rapid style of play has brought them some major scalps in recent years. The Springboks in the 2015 Rugby World Cup being at the top of that list.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland, put together a heavy duty team for the match. A group of players who would look to physically impose themselves on the Japanese side but still have the ability to stretch them with the ball in hand.
British and Irish Lions saw off Japan 28-10 in their build-up match at Murrayfield on Saturday
Head coach Warren Gatland would have learned plenty about his Lions side against Japan
It’s important to remember that this was the Lions first match together, and a certain amount of rustiness was present. Gatland will ensure that all the players in the squad get to start a match before test selection takes place. As each game is ticked off he will learn more about the individual players, the combinations, what works and what doesn’t.
So what will he and his coaches have learnt from this encounter? First thing to note is that Japan were rusty too and with all due respect, they are not the Springboks. The challenge that the Brave Blossoms gave the Lions will be very different to what they will face in South Africa.
I thought Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw worked well together in the centre in both attack and defence. Japan were always looking to attack the Lions on the wings, but I think this was partly due to the red wall they kept running into in the middle of the field.
The forwards looked good in the set piece and when the opportunities came, they produced some nice interplay with plenty of offloading.
The lineout worked well, even when Captain Alun Wyn Jones had to leave the field. Iain Henderson will be pleased with his days’ work there.
The scrum was solid and Tadgh Furlong must surely be pencilled in for a test start after his work in the tight and around the field.
Alun Wyn Jones’ injury would have dampened spirits with him being ruled out of the Lions tour
The balance to the back row wasn’t quite right. That was mostly due to Justin Tipuric going off and being replaced by Taulupe Faletau. Having two Number 8’s on the field and no open side definitely altered the dynamic but was unavoidable.
Dan Biggar was superb. He was efficient in everything he did. A year ago I would never have had him starting at 10 in the test side, but he has set the bar high for Finn Russell.
What will be of concern for Gatland, is the way the Lions lost their shape in the second half. All the replacements were used and when the impressive Jack Conan had to go off, they were down to 14 men. Even so, this is a scenario they could face in South Africa. Japan got themselves into the game and won the second half.
As expected, on the whole the replacements did a decent job, even if the team’s structure suffered. I thought Kyle Sinckler did well and definitely wants to show Gatland that he made a mistake not picking him in the first place. Anthony Watson looked energetic and immediately went looking for the ball. The squad and management will be pleased with this start. It was largely efficient but with plenty to work on.
The warm up is complete, the tour starts now. Some of the squad will be pleased with their days work, others will know that they have more to do to secure a test jersey.
Bundee Aki shones for the Lions at centre on Saturday, before they head out to South Africa
Robbie Henshaw, pictured going over to score, worked well with Aki at centre at Murrayfield
TEAM
15. Liam Williams – Good all round performance. Unlucky not to get a try after knocking on. Not really tested defensively, but in a good position to start the tests.
14. Josh Adams – Great finish for first try of the game. Put in a good hit in defence late in the game.
13. Robbie Henshaw – Ran a great line off a short ball to score. Power and pace in the centre. Worked well with Aki.
12. Bundee Aki – Superb line to set up the Lions first try. Solid in defence and produced a good turnover.
11. Duhan Van Der Merwe – Good vision to spot lack of Japanese cover on the blind side. Ran in to score untouched.
10. Dan Biggar – A great all round performance. Deserved man of the match.
9. Conor Murray – Full of energy. Sniping well and decent box kicking.
Dan Biggar deserved man of the match and has now set the bar high for Finn Russell
1. Rory Sutherland – Did his job well. Nothing flashy, bigger tests to come when the tour starts in earnest.
2. Ken Owens – A solid performance from the veteran hooker. Stepped up as captain when Alun Wyn Jones left the field.
3. Tadhg Furlong – Very strong in the scrum. Lots of pressure on the Japanese front row. Carried very well. Made a big statement for test selection.
4. Iain Henderson – Carried well and ran the lineout efficiently. Had a good game.
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) – Unable to make an impact. Had to leave the field with an injury after 7 minutes.
6. Tadhg Beirne – Worked well in the lineout. Great galloping try after a superb miss pass from Biggar.
7. Justin Tipuric – Had to leave the field due to injury early on.
8. Jack Conan – The Number 8 impressed and has put the pressure on Faletau. A real work horse.
Anthony Watson looked energetic and immediately went looking for the ball when he came on
REPLACEMENTS
Jamie George – Immediately involved in the loose. Throwing in at the lineout was good as expected.
Wyn Jones – Will relish his opportunity to start to show what he can do.
Kyle Sinckler – Worked hard when he came on. Looking to prove a point to Gatland.
Courtney Lawes – Came on for AWJ much sooner than he would have expected. Gave away a penalty and knocked on over the Japanese try line. Immense player who will improve.
Taulupe Faletau – On for Tiperic. A mixed performance but like Lawes, better days ahead.
Ali Price – Took over from Murray when the Lions were getting a bit loose. Unable to show his class.
Owen Farrell – Did everything asked of him in the 25 minutes he had from the bench.
Anthony Watson – Looked lively when he came on. Good break and interplay with the forwards.