Gatland excited by Russell-Farrell combination

Much of the attention will focus on Finn Russell when the British & Irish Lions begin their tour of South Africa against the Gauteng Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday after the gifted but inconsistent Racing and Scottish outhalf was named as one of three debutants in the starting XV.

Warren Gatland will start Owen Farrell at outhalf at some juncture before the test series against the Springboks but in the meantime the Lions head coach is looking forward to seeing him play at inside centre alongside Russell after naming the pair in the team to play the Gauteng Lions in Johannesburg this Saturday.

"They've worked really well together," said Gatland, in highlighting the "huge amount of experience" Farrell brings in his third Lions tour and as captain of England.

“Finn has a slightly different way of playing. He’s matured amazingly in the last few years in terms of his game management and the way he controls the game. We know what flair he has from an attacking perspective, but it’s also those deft attacking kicks that he’s able to bring to his game.

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"I thought against France the way he managed that game and kicking game and control was outstanding. It's pretty exciting to have a look at that combination. We do want to have a look at Owen at 10 at some stage as well and give him an opportunity there because that's where he's been picked. But we know he's equally comfortable in the 12 position."

As for Farrell featuring at outhalf, Gatland said: "If you look back at 2017, he played 10 and then we moved him to 12 for the Crusaders game when Johnny Sexton came on and that went really well. It does give us an opportunity to have a look at different combinations. He's very comfortable at both 10 and 12."

Russell's game management in Racing's Top 14 semi-final defeat, which indirectly led to a penalty and the game's only try by La Rochelle, provoked fierce debate in the French media as to whether he is the outhalf who can guide the Parisians to the bouclier de brennus.

Russell remains confident he can adapt his game to whatever style the Lions seek to use in South Africa.

“We’ll have a gameplan to play against them and whether it’s a kicking game or running game I’ll have to adapt to whatever Warren wants. I’d like to think I can do both. I’ll get a feel for how we want to play and go from there. I like to run the ball a little bit, but I also have to adapt.

"In test matches you have to play slightly differently - in the Six Nations I kicked it more than normal. In France there's a big focus on running the ball, holding the ball. Against South Africa we'll have to play a lot more tactically and force pressure on them through the kicking game.

“All three flyhalves are in the same position. We’ve all got one goal, which is playing in the series. Everyone has been training their hardest and the decision is up to Warren and the coaches as to who they pick in the Tests. The only thing I can do is train and play at my best before it.

"The maverick thing has been said since I came through. At Scotland or Glasgow it was an open game, so that's where the tag came from I suppose. It's kind of just stuck. It doesn't bother me either way," he said. "If I see it's on I have confidence in my skills, so I will always have a crack. You've got to make a decision in a split second of what's best to do."

A little surprisingly, Stuart Hogg has been chosen as captain ahead of Farrell, with Gatland saying of the Scottish skipper: "He's very calm and he goes out there and leads from the front in terms of the way that he plays, and delivers concise and clear messages without rambling on and raving. I really like his leadership style and the way he has been with the team this week.

"There's a number of other players that potentially are in contention, we have got a strong leadership group and we are going to need other players besides Conor Murray through this tour to captain the side. We are fortunate that we've got a fair number of choices that we could possibly go to."

Apart from the normal bumps and knocks, Anthony Watson (sore toe) and Dan Biggar have had cortisone injection, "so just a couple of minor complaints but nothing serious" said Gatland.

Away from the pitch life in a bubble is sure to be very restrictive but Gatland maintained that the players and staff are all too familiar with what he called the new normal.

“We know what works best for individuals and for the team as well. There’s an entertainment committee and there’s a huge amount of things for us to be going within the hotel.

“Of course it would be ideal if we could get out as well to explore but we’re very fortunate that we get to do our job and represent the Lions. The boys are enjoying each other’s company and we’re having fun, on and off the training field. Hopefully that will come out in the way we play this weekend.

“Normally when you’re on Lions tours, the thing that hits you the most is how many fans are around the place, often in hotels. There have been times where players, management and myself have been in hotels and wanted to venture out for a coffee and walked out the door and there’s been a sea of red. There’s no chance you’re getting a coffee so you head back into the sanctuary of the hotel.”

Meanwhile, the kick-off for the match between the Sharks and the British & Irish Lions at Emirates Arline Park next Wednesday, July7th, has been brought forward by an hour to 6pm Irish time so as to avoid a clash with the second semi-final at Euro 2020.