5 hours ago
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I know from my own experience just what Andy Farrell and his team will be going through this week.
In 2005, I was head coach of the British & Irish Lions for the tour of New Zealand - and we also warmed up against Argentina.
That game was in Cardiff before heading to the southern hemisphere, and was also the first chance for the players on that Lions tour to impress. Things didn’t quite go to plan.
We ended up drawing 25-25 with an under-strength Pumas side, relying on the boot of Jonny Wilkinson not to lose.
It wasn’t a great start, despite the Lions fielding a strong side. The first match of any Lions tour can be difficult simply because of the limited time you have to train together as a squad.
That said, the team named by Andy Farrell to take on the Pumas in Dublin on Friday is packed full of pace and power. Across the board, it is incredibly strong. It is one that should have enough for victory, despite the fact Argentina’s team is also very good.
My Lions side also began their tour with a warm-up against Argentina - it didn't go to plan
We fielded a strong side but could only manage a 25-all draw against a weak visiting side
We had to rely on Jonny Wilkinson's boot to stop us from losing - he scored 20 of our points
Of Farrell’s matchday 23, 21 were at the training camp in Portugal last week, so they’ve had an extra seven days or so to gel together. They were also able to get a headstart on impressing Farrell and his team, with the players who played in finals for Bath, Leicester, Leinster and Glasgow missing from the group.
So, who can steal a march in the race for a Lions starting Test shirt? And who has the most to prove? Here, I've picked out the six players who need a big performance at the Aviva.
1. Marcus Smith
I’ve been consistent in saying I think Marcus Smith has to play fly-half. I was interested to read his interview in Mail Sport last week in which he said: ‘I’m a 10 that can play 15. I want to play 10 though.’
Marcus, I completely agree with you! Full-back is not Marcus Smith’s best position. I don’t think he should start big Test matches for either England or the Lions there.
Marcus Smith must play fly-half when it really counts, but he has a chance to be a playmaker still from full-back against Argentina
You could see that he looked back to his confident best following his selection in the Lions squad
But the reality is that with Finn Russell and Fin Smith both in Farrell’s squad, his chances to be the primary playmaker might be limited. That’s why the Argentina game is so big for him.
Marcus Smith looked back to his best for Harlequins once he’d been selected by the Lions. I want to see him bring his trademark dynamism from the backfield.
It’s a big chance for him because Farrell has been clear he’s been picked for this Lions tour as a utility player and the other full-backs aren't here - Hugo Keenan is nursing an injury and Blair Kinghorn is yet to join up with the squad as he finishes the Top14 season with Toulouse.
2. Sione Tuipulotu
The Scotland captain missed the Six Nations through injury. To me, he’s a nailed on starter when firing on all cylinders - and that’s what he needs to show against Argentina.
Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki is a monster centre pairing. I’m struggling to think of a more physical Lions midfield, perhaps Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies.
Tuipulotu did return to play for Glasgow at the back end of the club season and looked good. That will have pleased Farrell, but I’m equally sure he will want to get a good run of games into Tuipulotu before the Tests with Australia.
Tuipulotu will wear No 13 against Argentina but I think for the Wallabies, he will be at No 12, with someone else outside him. Either way, he’s a key man for the Lions.
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was back for the end of Glasgow's season after months out with injury, including missing the Six Nations
Tuipulotu will line up alongside Bundee Aki (left) and Duhan van der Merwe (right) in the backline at the Aviva Stadium
3. Fin Smith
Selection for the first game of the Lions tour caps a remarkable season for Fin Smith. He’s become England’s first-choice No 10, forcing Marcus Smith to full-back.
I’ve been hugely impressed. With Finn Russell not involved against Argentina after leading Bath to the Premiership title, Fin Smith gets first dibs on controlling the team.
Such a scenario might daunt some players. But I don’t think that will happen to the Northampton man. He seems to have taken every step he’s taken in his career in his stride so far and I think he’ll do the same at the Aviva Stadium, where he led Saints to an epic upset of Leinster in the Champions Cup semi-final last month.
Fin is very calm. His style of play is simple, but that is not derogatory at all. He brings the best out of those around him and the Lions have some hugely dangerous backs. I expect him to have a great game in Ireland.
Fin Smith has made the England No 10 shirt his own, and now for the first time he'll get to wear it for the Lions too
Smith returns to the scene of one of his best performances, overseeing a shock win for Northampton against Leinster in last month's Champions Cup semi-final
4. Alex Mitchell
I do wonder if Jamison Gibson-Park’s glute injury is more serious than the Lions are letting on.
Gibson-Park knows Farrell well from their work with Ireland and I think he’ll have been inked in as the first-choice No 9 for the Tests if fit. But the question is whether or not he is actually fit, having also missed Leinster's United Rugby Championship final win.
Mitchell starts at scrum-half with Tomos Williams in reserve, after a brilliant 12 months for England and Northampton.
He has to take his chance to put the pressure on Gibson-Park whenever he returns. The Lions have stated their desire to play with pace and that will suit Mitchell down to the ground.
Alex Mitchell has his chance this week to prove that he should be the starting Lions No 9
I do wonder if Jamison Gibson-Park's injury is more serious than the Lions are letting on
5. Luke Cowan-Dickie
The Sale hooker is one of nine Englishmen in the Lions XV for Argentina which must be at least close to a record!
Cowan-Dickie is abrasive, a really confrontational carrier. I like that about him.
The other two hookers in the Lions squad are from Leinster so Cowan-Dickie begins against Argentina. I fully expect Dan Sheehan to be the starting hooker in Australia, but Cowan-Dickie can put the heat on him.
Luke Cowan-Dickie is abrasive, a really confrontational carrier. I like that about him
6. Jac Morgan
There are only two Welshmen in this Lions squad - Morgan and scrum-half Williams. Wales have had such an awful time of it in the last two years or so.
But I’ve been hugely impressed with flanker Morgan. To stand out as he has at international level in a team that has struggled so badly is very, very impressive.
Jac Morgan somehow managed to look superb in a terrible Wales team that has lost 17 Tests in a row
He fully deserved his Lions selection and it’s great for him that he starts against Argentina.
Alongside Tom Curry and Ben Earl, Morgan forms part of a very dynamic back-row. I like what I see in that area.
The back row is probably the most competitive area of this Lions squad and there are the likes of Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan still to come into the equation.
Morgan is good enough to start the Tests. He just has to show it.
