Townsend in Boks seat after video marathon

GREGOR TOWNSEND did not waste his time when he was confined to barracks – he was swotting up on the Springboks. The British & Irish Lions attack guru (left) had hours on his hands after being told to self-isolate in Johannesburg as the squad headed to Cape Town last Sunday, so he got the videos out.

The Scot only rejoined the party on Wednesday and will be in the stands today as the tourists take on the Stormers in their final match before next Saturday’s first Test against the Springboks.

He studied South Africa’s games for the last three years since current bosses Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber took the reins.

Townsend said: “There was a silver lining – I could watch a lot more of South Africa.

“When you go Saturday,

Wednesday, Saturday the focus is on helping preparing the team.

“So not being with the team, I was able to look back at games that they have played as far back as 2018 so I am more aware of what we are expecting in defence from them.”

Lions head coach Warren Gatland and his assistants will sit down tomorrow to sketch out their team to take on the Boks.

So today is a big day for the likes of Scotland scrum-half Ali Price, who is pushing Conor Murray for a Test spot, and No.8 Jack Conan and his Ireland team-mate centre Robbie Henshaw, who has not played since the Lions’ game against Japan on June 26.

Townsend added: “It is the last thing you see as a coach so it can have an influence.

“What you have done the day before selection is going to influence us. If players put on a performance we believe is going to help us win the first Test then they are going to be in a strong position.”

With Finn Russell sidelined there is also an opportunity for fly-half Marcus Smith, who was called up last Saturday, as he plays his first game of the tour.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: Hogg; Adams, Daly, Henshaw, Van der Merwe; Smith, Price; Sutherland, Cowan-dickie, Furlong, Beard, Hill, Beirne, H Watson, Conan.

REPLACEMENTS: George, M Vunipola, Fagerson, AW Jones, Simmonds, Davies, Harris, Rees-zammit.

TV: 5pm, Sky Sports