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:
Stormers 0-0 Lions, 4 minutes
It goes down once more and this time Barnes goes to his whistle - just a free kick with the Lions deemed to be the primary instigators as the front rows fail to find stability. The Stormers are happy enough to have another visit to the battleground, but not before all of the heavier mob take on some water and Tadhg Beirne gets some strapping re-done. Slow start.
Stormers 0-0 Lions, 2 minutes
Almost inevitably, down goes the first scrum. Just a reset, says referee Wayne Barnes, and we’ll try that again.
Stormers 0-0 Lions, 1 minute
Welcome to the action, Marcus Smith, and that’s a very accomplished start. Tim Swiel puts his kick-off down the throat of his former Harlequins teammate who gathers calmly and thumps his punt the other side of halfway very competently.
The Stormers try a funky trap play from the first lineout, switching back and attacking the space as those involved in the lineout crab infield. Edwill van der Merwe skips past Tadhg Furlong, a first sign of the danger he poses. The Lions cover the rest of the attack well but knock on as they use the hands for the first time.
KICK OFF! Stormers 0-0 Lions
The Stormers vs the British and Irish LIons has begun.
Lions vs Stormers
There’s plenty to do for Stuart Hogg today. He was left twiddling his thumbs, largely, while in isolation in Johannesburg, and was actually grateful when the rest of the squad left for Cape Town without him as it allowed him Covid-safe access to the gym to keep his fitness up. He steps straight into the captaincy breach today, but is also the back-up fly-half in the squad should an injury befall Smith.
Part of his job will be keeping the officials on side with a quiet word here and there, as it will be for Ernst van Rhyn in the Stormers second row. Wayne Barnes, perhaps rugby’s best referee, has the whistle today, with assistance from AJ Jacobs and Jaco Peyper with the flags. Marius van der Westhuizen is the TMO - I suspect we’ll be hearing from him at some point.
Hogg leads his side out, depositing BIL, the cuddly Lion mascot, on the touchline as the flamethrowers welcome the Lions on to the pitch. The Stormers follow soon after - a couple of smiles, and a look of intense focus on the face of Juan de Jongh. He’s ready.
Lions vs Stormers
Right - the Lions have made it to their final 80 minutes of in-game preparation. Two more halves for the chosen 23 to stake their claims. Can Hamish Watson make a final push for the starting seven shirt? Could Adam Beard force his way into the second row mix after an excellent cameo off the bench on Wednesday? Might Marcus Smith even force Warren Gatland’s hand?
Plenty of questions - it is time for the answers...
Lions vs Stormers: Kick-off approaches
Plenty of excitement about Marcus Smith’s inclusion today. It has been an extraordinary few weeks for the Harlequins fly-half: engineering one of the great comebacks in a Premiership semi-final; then instrumental in his club’s win in the final a week later; then making an England debut back at Twickeham; and finally last weekend being called up to the Lions while strutting his stuff in the South West London sunshine again.
He should dovetail nicely today with the similarly quick Ali Price (a partnership that could reunite beyond this summer...), while the Lions coaches were very keen to see the Robbie Henshaw/Elliot Daly centre partnership in action. Smith is such a natural rugby player with a ridiculously calm head, able to execute at tempo and at his best operating at speed at the line. It looks a pleasant enough evening on the Western Cape.
Lions vs Stormers: Warren Gatland speaks to Sky Sports
The customary pre-match chat with the broadcasters for a smiling Warren Gatland, who is relieved that there is no late reshuffling required after a few chaotic matchdays in recent weeks. He suggests that half of his Test side played on Wednesday, and half start tonight - decipher that. He also reveals he is planning to go to his bench reasonably early to give some of those looking to make strong involvements as much chance as possible to do exactly that - most obviously Alun Wyn Jones, back in action just three weeks after dislocating his shoulder.
On Rassie Erasmus’ tweets, Gatland says: “It was a bit surprising going to Twitter but you’ve got to accept things. It adds to the occasion, atmosphere and tension building up the Test series.
“It’s all a bit of fun, a game within a game.”
Lions vs Stormers: The attack coach has his say
Three British and Irish Lions players with points to prove against the Stormers
A number of places are up for grabs against South Africa.
Lions vs Stormers: What will the home side bring?
After the sad demise and (delayed) demolition of Newlands, Cape Town Stadium will henceforth be the home of the Stormers, and this is an excellent opportunity for a statement performance in their new permanent home. Like all the South African sides they are missing a clutch of key players away with the Springboks, and are also without impressive young lock Salmaan Moerat, a potential captain for this fixture who is recovering from neck surgery.
In his absence, JD Schickerling has plenty of admirers in the second row alongside punchy captain Ernst van Rhyn, while there is plenty of stardust out wide. Edwill van der Merwe is expected to leave the Stormers after this summer but has had an outstanding first half of the year, while having been stung by Werner Kok of the Sharks, the Lions would have been wary of his old Springboks Sevens running mate Seabelo Senatla - though as I type the winger has been ruled out of the game, with Leolin Zas starting in his stead. Another late blow for coach John Dobson.
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