British and Irish Lions vs Stormers LIVE: Result and reaction from South Africa tour match
Follow live reaction from the tourists’ final warm-up before the Test series begins next weekend
Follow live reaction after the British and Irish Lions beat the Stormers in the tourists’ final warm-up before the Test series.
Scrumhalf Ali Price impressed as the visitors scored seven tries in a comfortable 49-3 victory on Saturday. It was another slow start for the Lions in the opening 20 minutes but once they found their groove they were far too strong for the hosts, who battled with the tourists’ impenetrable wall of defence and quick ball at the breakdown.
Price allowed them to play with that high tempo in the opening hour and he must now be putting pressure on tour captain Conor Murray for a starting place in the first test against the world champion Springboks at the same venue next weekend.
Loose-forward Hamish Watson was an aggressive runner with ball in hand as was excellent hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, while more good news for coach Warren Gatland was the return of lock Alun Wyn Jones who got 30 minutes under his belt after dislocating his shoulder three weeks ago. Follow all the reaction:
Lions vs Stormers result: On to the Test series...
That just about does us for coverage of the final warm-up fixture of this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour. Another large margin of victory for the Lions, battling back after a slow start to again show their quality and cruise away from the Stormers.
Plenty to ponder for Warren Gatland before he settles on his 23 for the opening Test in Cape Town this time next week. The Independent will be across all of the selection news, views and debate as the game moves nearer, and we’ll have LIVE coverage of the first clash with South Africa next Saturday.
Do join us for that, but until then, stay safe and well, and thank you for joining us.
Alun Wyn Jones makes winning return as British and Irish Lions see off Stormers
Stormers 3-49 British and Irish Lions: Three weeks after dislocation his shoulder, Jones completed 27 minutes as a second-half replacement in Cape Town
Lions vs Stormers result: Gatland on the challenges South Africa will pose
“We are expecting a lot of runners off nine so we have got to match the Springboks’ physicality. That’s one area we have to work on. We expect a lot of kicking in the game. With a lot of teams, you might be 20 odd kicks in the game and with the Springboks it goes up to 40-odd so we are going to have to do a lot of work on that this week, being prepared to stay in that arm-wrestle.
“Our defence has kept improving. We haven’t conceded a pick-and-go try on this tour yet, which is one of the strengths of South African rugby, so I’ve been pleased with that.”
Lions vs Stormers result: Warren Gatland on selection
“I don’t go in to the tour with pre-conceived ideas. I let the media and other rugby experts do that. They are all very different from each other, so I try not to go in there with thoughts about players. I like that to develop and for players to have the opportunity to put their hands up. Sometimes it is looking at stats or having a gut feel about certain players or combinations.”
On the scrum-halves: “Ali has done well. Gareth didn’t play as well as he would have liked last week but was good coming off the bench. We had a few box kicks that went a little bit too far but when Ali started to run a little bit he put them under pressure. I’ve been really pleased with his performances.”
On Robbie Henshaw: “I think it was obvious that he needed the run. There were a couple of things in his game that he will look at and I think he will be better for that. He needed the game, he was tidy without being brilliant, but I was pleased with the way we defended as a team and he was a big part of that in terms of organising that midfield defence and our short side as well. We defended exceptionally well.”
Lions vs Stormers result: Warren Gatland reaction
“I’ve started to get some names in my head and think about combinations. We’ll look at the game and talk to the medics, but from a fitness point of view we are pretty good. We’ll go through that process in the next 48, 72 hours. There will be some robust debate, I would presume.
On Alun Wyn Jones: “He defended well and put a few shots on. The big thing for him was to get through that period and see how he was afterwards. I know how hard he has worked over the last year or so. He felt in 2017 that he wasn’t quite at his best. . He loves playing for the Lions and was desperate to get back. To me, it shows how much it means to the players from those four nations.
“We’ll have that discussion about whether there is a role for him as a starter or on the bench next week. We know we’ve got a big week ahead of us.”
Gatland confirms that Jones has returned to the role of tour captain, with Conor Murray more than happy to cede that responsibility, apparently.
Lions vs Stormers: Warren Gatland reaction
“The Stormers came out and had a real go at us. We had to weather a storm. That’s what you expect on a Lions tour. I was pleased we got back into it. There were some really good performances. Luke Cowan-Dickie was good, there was some good stuff from the back row. I was really pleased with the bench impact, they kept the pressure on.
The longer the game went on the better Marcus Smith looked, the more comfortable he looked out there. He kicked well and had some lovely touches. For a guy who has only really had one training session, he was good. He’ll be part of the discussions [for selection for the first Test]. “
Gatland suggests that the back row and the back three are the two areas that will cause him the most headaches this week. “It is important to consider the impact the bench is going to have, and making sure they can add impact.”
Lions vs Stormers result: Marcus Smith impresses
It’s probably too late for Marcus Smith to force his way into the 23 for next Saturday’s opener, but the fly-half showed why the Lions were so keen to get him in the squad with Finn Russell struggling with injury. He took a little time to settle in to the contest but he showed the imagination, confidence and attacking verve to dazzle as the game opened up. He’d certainly be an X-Factor option off the bench - you wouldn’t rule him out figuring at some point in the next three weeks if Russell is unable to have any involvement.
Warren Gatland should be pleased to see Alun Wyn Jones back amongst things. Five carries and seven tackles for the lock in 26 minutes on the pitch to prove his fitness. If Gatland is content with his match readiness, which is never usually a problem for the 35-year-old, he’s the favourite to retake the captaincy at the Cape Town Stadium next week.
We should be hearing from Gatland soon, so stay with us for his reaction to his side’s victory.
Lions vs Stormers result: Luke Cowan-Dickie is named Player of the Match
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Exeter hooker says: “There are little areas we can improve on. The last few games we have kept it in the pack with driving mauls, tap and goes, pick and goes just to see where we are.
“I think we wanted a faster start. It’s hard to come back when you go down early in the game. Tonight again wasn’t the fastest start but we did defend better. By Test time I think we will be good.
“At the end of the day everyone wants to win. If I don’t make the best 23, as long as we go out there and win, I’d be happy.”
Lions Test selection: Price and Cowan-Dickie impress
Very few in a Lions jersey had a poor game, but you would say it would now be a real surprise if Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ali Price don’t make the starting side in Cape Town next weekend. Two very impressive performances.
A first stab at a starting XV on the back of today? W.Jones, Cowan-Dickie, Furlong, Itoje, AW.Jones, Beirne, Curry, Faletau; Price, Biggar; Henshaw, Harris; Adams, Watson, L.Williams.
Lions beat Stormers: Hosts beaten comfortably
230 points in four matches against the South African clubs for the Lions. Given the relative weakness of South African domestic rugby at the moment and the enlarged group involved with the Springboks, it was to be anticipated, but still striking how little Warren Gatland’s party were tested for concerted periods during those four encounters.
The Stormers probably put together the best half-hour of any of the three sides to meet the Lions, but also encountered the most organised defence. You’d say three points is scant reward for a number of promising moments in attack. John Dobson’s side were a little profligate in the red zone, though, and the impact the Lions held in reserve was always likely to be telling in the final quarter.
Lions beat Stormers: Stuart Hogg reacts to Sky Sports
On the performance: “I feel we are in a good place. At times it was a bit scrappy and a bit loose. We had to go out there and express ourselves. We talk about the fact that great memories are built on the back of great opportunities. Credit to the boys - we did a good job.”
On Test selection: “I’m just here to do my job. If I get the opportunity next week, that’ll be great, but I’ll be backing the boys if I’m not.”
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