ROOM WITH A SEE VIEW
Toony passes lockdown swotting up on Springboks... and says main man Finn still on track for last two tests
GREGOR TOWNSEND claims the week he has just spent isolating gave him a chance to conduct a deep analysis of the Springbok game-plan.
And he thinks it could give the Lions an edge when the Test series starts next Saturday.
The Lions attack coach – and Scotland boss – finally rejoined the squad in Cape Town on Wednesday having self-isolated after a Covid scare in the camp.
And he’s now looking forward to seeing how the team bounce back from their midweek defeat to South Africa ‘A’ when they take on the Stormers this evening.
Seven of his fellow Scots are set to play in tonight’s match, including captain Stuart Hogg who is back after missing the last three matches while also isolating.
Loose-head prop Rory Sutherland, flanker Hamish Watson, scrum-half Ali Price and winger Duhan van der Merwe are also in the starting
XV, while tight-head prop Zander Fagerson and centre Chris Harris will look to make an impact off the bench.
Townsend said: “It’s been a frustrating week in my hotel room and it was great getting back with the squad.
“In terms of contingencies, what we’ve found over the last 12 months is technology can play a big part in connecting with people, be that in a meeting via zoom or presenting to the players their videoclips and having meetings with them over the phone.
“There was a silver lining and it was that I could watch a lot more of South Africa. Not being with the team, I was able to look at games they’ve played as far back as 2018 when the current coaches took over.
“I’m more aware of what we’re expecting in defence from them and the game on Wednesday was great for us to learn more about what they want to do and for the players to feel that during the 80 minutes.
“Knowing our enemy is important, knowing what will put them under pressure and getting the way we want to play out in the Test series is going to get us the win.”
Stand-off Finn Russell is the only Scot in the squad not involved in tonight’s match because he is still recovering from a minor Achilles tear.
And Townsend admits the playmaker is not expected to be in the selection mix for the opening Test against the world champion Springboks.
Townsend said: “We’re five or six days into his recovery – he’s had his injection and he’s out of his boot, so he’ll start the rehab process gently this week.
“When we get to the end of the week, we’re hoping he’ll be able to be back involved in full training. It’s unlikely he’ll be involved in the first Test but we’re still hopeful he’ll be available for the last two.”
While that is disappointing from a Scottish perspective, Townsend is generally happy with how his countrymen have performed on this tour so far.
And he has challenged the seven fit Scots to seize tonight’s opportunity to claim a place in the Test team.
He said: “I’m coaching the whole group but I have been delighted with how well the Scots guys integrated and how they’ve thrived in this environment.
“They’ve played very well – they’ve been consistent with their performances – but they are not alone in that.
“So many players have taken their opportunities which is why it is going to be very tough selecting the team for next week. We haven’t discussed
Test selection at all and we know that’s going to occupy our minds on Sunday. So this is the last chance for players to put their hands up.
“The guys who played on Wednesday will have realised it was an even bigger opportunity for them because we were playing against a shadow Springbok team but the things freshest in a coach’s mind obviously have an influence.
“So how well the players perform tomorrow will add to what they’ve already done on tour and it’s a big opportunity for people to grab.”
South Africa will get another run out ahead of the first Test when a so-called A team play the Bulls at Cape Town Stadium before the Lions match – with nine World Cup winners in their squad including Saracens prop Vincent Koch.
I’ve been delighted at how well the Scots guys have thrived in this environment GREGOR TOWNSEND