The Wales and Lions legend gives his views on Wales finally winning and the Lions team for the first Test
This was a must win game for Wales and we did it. Just.
A drawn Test series with Japan may not be too much to shout about in the grand scheme of things but it is a fair reflection of where Wales are right now
To put it bluntly, this was a game of two teams scrapping it out for 12th/13th/14th place in the rankings. Both teams made errors as a consequence of indiscipline and losses of composure, and the result could have gone their way. Fortunately for us it didn’t.
The reaction of the players and coaches was more of relief than elation. That was an indication of what it meant to them.
Performing the role of an interim coach Is not an easy task. It involves being expected to pick up the pieces and to deal with the mess that somebody else has left. Under the circumstances, Matt Sherratt should receive the credit that is due to him.
However, we may have come to the much-welcomed end of an 18-game losing streak but we’ve still got a long way to go in our recovery.
Dave Reddin, the newly appointed Director of Rugby of the WRU, is the person tasked with getting Welsh rugby out of this mess. However, the person who will be at the focal point and who, as a consequence, will cop any flak, will be the head coach of the national team. That’s the way things work in Welsh rugby.
In the next 12 months or so we’ve got the Autumn Series followed by the Six Nations to look forward to. That’s nine games which contain Japan, again, and Italy. The other teams are in the top seven in the world rankings.
But how do you measure the success of our recovery? We need to be pragmatic. As the bare minimum, target wins against Japan and Italy and provide a definite improved showing in the other games.
All this will be taking place while there is the upheaval going on at board level to contend with, but a win is a much-needed win so enjoy the moment.
My Lions team for the first Test
The first test of any British and Irish Lions tour is the most important. Both sides have been selected and all the preparations have been made but you don’t really know how they will perform until the teams are actually on the pitch.
If you win you have the confidence that your team selection and preparations are correct. If you feel the need to make alterations it is from a position of strength.
If you lose the doubts set in. What has gone wrong and what do you need to rectify the weaknesses?
The Lions have comfortably recovered after the their loss in the opening game to Argentina. However, It will, forever, remain a blot on the playing record of the 2025 British and Irish Lions. But then again, the 1971 Lions lost in their very first tour match to Queensland. The only memory of the 1971 Lions is beating the All Blacks in the test series. At the end of the day, winning the test series is what the Lions tour it is all about.
Some of the scorelines in the warm up games may have been quite high but the Lions, certainly, didn’t have it all their own way. The opposition exposed areas of our play in need of improvement, particularly in respect of our defence and discipline.
The Lions have started to play with greater composure and discipline in the past week or two. Consequently, there was a marked improvement in their performance and a very healthy competition for places in the test team.
Some of the players put down their marker immediately, whereas others have gradually played themselves in or out of contention. Up front, Ellis Genge and Dan Sheehan stood out from the rest in very hot competition for places in the front row. Tadgh Furlong has made slow progress on tour but I have a feeling that he may have done enough for him to be selected at tighthead.
Joe McCarthy, looks to have secured a place alongside captain Maro Itoje in the second row and Jack Conan at No.8 provides the ball carrying impetus they need.
The competition for places at No.7 is becoming too close to call, with Josh van der Flier, Tom Curry and our own Jac Morgan all playing well. I have a feeling Andy Farrell will plump for who he knows best in van der Flier, and Jac will have to be content with a place on the bench.
Farrell likes a big No.6 but Tadgh Beirne has not done himself any favours. Fortunately, Ollie Chessum has excelled and I believe he has done enough to achieve selection.
In the backs Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park are automatic selections, although I am sure Tomos Williams would have had something to say about that if it hadn’t been for his tragic tour-ending injury.
The centre partnerships were very competitive until Garry Ringrose’s injury rendered him unavailable for the first test.
It was thought the decision would be either the Irish or the Scottish combination. Now Huw Jones will be partnered by either Bundee Aki or his Scottish centre partner Sione Tuipolotu and I think Farrell will choose Aki.
The wings who have taken their opportunities well are Tommy Freeman and James Lowe, although Mack Hansen has been prominent, He, though, is now a big fitness doubt.
Before the tour I would have said Duhan van der Merve was a cast iron certainty to play in the tests. He may have scored a hat-trick in the last game but, unfortunately, he hasn’t shown his true form in his all round game and looks vulnerable.
I thought the full back place was being kept open for Blair Kinghorn. However, his injury doubts may rule him out. He hasn’t been able to justify his selection anyway so it looks like Hugo Keenan will take his place.
I note Farrell has called up a number of additional players to help out for the remainder of the tour. I assume this is Farrell’s version of Gatland’s ‘Geography Six’.
While I can understand why he has chosen to do this, it none the less dilutes what it means to be a British and Irish Lion, in my opinion.
My prediction? Joe Schmidt is an outstanding coach and I am sure he will have a few tricks up his sleeve. However, if we win the first test, and I believe we will, we will go on to win the series three nil. The loss to Argentina will, subsequently, become erased from our memories.
Pricey’s Lions Test Team:
15 – Hugo Keenan
14 – Tommy Freeman
13 – Huw Jones
12 – Bundee Aki
11 – James Lowe
10 – Finn Russell
9 – Jamison Gibson-Park
8 – Jack Conan
7 – Josh van der Flier
6 –Ollie Chessum
5 – Joe McCarthy
4 – Maro Itoje
3 – Tadhg Furlong
2 – Dan Sheehan
1 – Ellis Genge
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Finlay Bealham, Jac Morgan, Tadhg Beirne, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith Sione Tuipulotu
