KI’ll taNke SlAeeCpy KLionEsRscrEapeD it Care of the kids
DEL OF A WIN FOR MURRAY
GARY FITZGERALD DANNY CARE has warned England’s new kids to expect a “hot and hostile” Argentinian welcome.
The Harlequins star is ready for a dose of Danny Day Care during the South America tour as England’s young and makeshift squad attempt to get back to winning ways.
Now 30, and the second-highest capped star on the two-Test trip, Care admits he is now “an elder statesman who must lead by example” with 17 uncapped and excited juniors around him including Sale’s talented teenage twins Tom and Ben Curry.
Eddie Jones has ordered Care, captain Dylan Hartley, Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown to take the international rookies under their wings. But the scrum-half, capped 71 times, admits they will have to learn very quickly or it could be a rough fight against the Pumas.
The first Test is on Saturday and Care (below) said: “It’s going to be a hell of a challenge. I’ve only been down there once, eight years ago, just to play one game with them which we lost. It will be just as tough this time.
“It’s a great place to go and play rugby. It’s also going to be a hostile atmosphere and some of these young lads are going to experience something very special.”
MARTIN HOPWOOD Prov Barbarians 7 British & Irish Lions 13 contributory factor to a lacklustre display against a side they were expected to beat by more than 30 points, but captain Sam Warburton was happy to get the win.
“It was the first building block,” Warburton said. “That was great for us – we have plenty of footage to work on some defensive things but for a first hit out I am pretty pleased.”
Gatland had been at pains to point out every one of his 41 players would get the chance to put themselves in the picture for the first Test on June 24.
The Welsh loose-forward trio of Warburton, who had not played for almost two months due to injury, Ross Moriarty and Taulupe Faletau did their Test credentials no harm and neither did Alun Wyn Jones.
New Zealand- born England centre Ben Te’o also gave the side momentum with his running.
“I thought Ben Te’o had a really strong performance in carrying and created a lot of chances for us,” Gatland added.
The head coach, however, will be concerned that Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton was outplayed by his opposite number – Gatland’s son Bryn – before being replaced by Owen Farrell.
“I thought he played pretty well,” Gatland added of his son’s contribution. “It’s a special day for our family.” The Lions next play in Auckland on Wednesday against Super Rugby side Blues. SIR ANDY MURRAY eased into the Last 16 of the French Open after a straight sets win over flagging Juan Martin Del Potro.
The Scot did enough to keep his nose in front throughout, while the giant Argentine was unable to repeat the heroics that saw the pair produce such magic in last year’s Rio Olympics Final.
While Murray won that affair too – and their only previous Grand Slam meeting – Del Potro had triumphed in their most recent clash, so the Scot was alert to the dangers.
He said: “Whoever won that first set had big momentum. It’s slow and heavy and coming back in these conditions is difficult.
“I thought I played some good tennis towards the end and I expected a tough match.
“Each day I’m starting to play a little bit better.”
Del Potro, whose career has been blighted by a wrist injury, needed a good start against the world No.1 but when he lost a tight first-set tie-break, from PHIL GIRVAN at Roland Garros the stage was set.
Losing that opener on a disputed line call cut Del Potro deep. Murray jogged to his seat at the changeover but the Argentine stood at the net bent at the waist, his head resting on the netcord. He stayed there until the umpire called time.
The pair traded blows in the second set with Murray creeping ahead.
But a monumental effort by Del Potro saw him break back for 5-5, only to instantly drop serve again as Murray yanked him around the court with tight angles, drop-shots and lobs.
The Scot made no mistake and crunched it out with his fourth ace. Del Potro’s spirit was broken and Murray raced through the final set.
Kyle Edmund was edged out in a five-set battle against Kevin Anderson. Meanwhile, Roger Federer will return to action in Stuttgart on June 14 after skipping the whole clay-court season.