Will the British Lions Just Be 'Team Wales'?

The British Lions head coach is Ian McGeechan, a Scot who was, until a matter of days ago, in charge of London Wasps. But below him the Welsh rugby coaches Warren Gatland, Sean Edwards, Rob Howley and Craig White are all touring with the Lions.

With Wasps and Wales playing similar patterns of play (as well they might with Gatland being an ex-Wasps coach, Edwards still coaching there and Howley having played with them) there is a worry that we will be seeing British Lions playing the same sort of rugby.

Until this season that would have been far from a worry for anyone. Last season Wales marched to a Grand Slam in the 6 nations whilst Wasps won the Guinness Premiership final yet again. But times change and the coaching team have been far less successful, with Wasps struggling in the Guinness Premiership and Wales finishing 4th in the 6 Nations.

Looking at the squad you have to assume that the Lions will be very much following the direct style of play favored by Wales and Wasps. Both teams play very confrontational rugby, hitting hard at the fringes and the gainline, and blitzing in defense. besten online |find .it gambling | migliori casino en ligne |casinos
Wales especially provide very little protection to their scrumhalf at the break down, preferring to keep their forwards as runners spread across the park - this suggests that a strong 9 is needed - someone like Mike Phillips, the Ospreys and Wales scrum half who is built more like a flanker than a 9.