Morning:
8°c
Lions captain Paul O'Connell today challenged his players to start bullying South African teams, starting with the Sharks in Durban tomorrow night. O'Connell addressed the players before training in a bid to fire them up for what will be an intensely physical battle with one of the best Super 14 teams who are still dangerous despite missing their Springbok squad men.
The Lions have been stung by the criticism they received for giving away so much ball at the break down in the 26-24 win over the Cheetahs, a match that also revealed worrying weaknesses in their mauling play.
O'Connell has left his team in no doubt that they need to step it up with the First Test just 11 days away.
He said: "We have been doing so much work getting to know each other that when you get onto the pitch you can leave your physicality behind. At the break down and maul we left it behind a bit against the Cheetahs and we have addressed that situation.
"I don't think the Cheetahs bullied us at the break down but it is an area we need to work on because the break down and what goes on at the ruck is the most important part of the game - and there's no doubt we have to keep working on this."
O'Connell, who will be partnered at lock by Alun-Wyn Jones tomorrow, insists that despite being captain he is not guaranteed his place in the Test side and added: "With three games to go before the Test the whole squad believe that places are up for grabs."
The Irish lock was made captain on the understanding that he would replicate the physical commitment and leadership that Martin Johnson displayed during the 1997 Test series they won 2-1 against the Springboks.
Defence coach Shaun Edwards has been impressed by the way O'Connell has reacted to the challenge.
He said: "Paul has been firing up the boys because we take great pride in our driving maul and our defence of the maul. We have been challenged in this area and have been rusty since the law was changed to bring it back into the game."
World player of the year Shane Williams has failed to make an impact on the tour and it was his loose pass that was intercepted to give the Cheetahs an easy seven points which cut the Lions' lead to just two in Bloemfontein.
Williams has received constant support from Edwards who was quick to back his man again today, insisting: "Players like Shane play right in the face of the defence and I don't want him to get scared to play his game."
The tourists were hit by more injury concerns today with wing Leigh Halfpenny and flanker Stephen Ferris needing scans. Halfpenny has aggravated the thigh injury he sustained before the tour and kept him in Cardiff for two extra weeks while Ferris has picked up a sore knee after training.
London Irish were today drawn in the same Heineken Cup pool as defending champions Leinster. The Exiles will also face Scarlets and Brive, who include England internationals Riki Flutey, Steve Thompson and Andy Goode in their squad. Last season's quarter-finalists Harlequins are in one of the toughest pools alongside Toulouse, Cardiff and Sale.
