12-07-2025
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The three key areas the Lions will have to be immaculate in to beat Australia… and I've changed my mind about the back-row trio in my starting XV
In my coaching career, I used to remind my teams of what I saw as the three rugby basics. By that, I meant the non-negotiables, the parts of the game we have to get right - our safety net to success.
They can vary from match to match but for the first British & Irish Lions Test they are, in my opinion, scrum, line-outs and restarts. As the countdown to Saturday's Lions opener with Australia begins this week, Andy Farrell needs to remind his players of their importance. If we're honest, the Lions haven't been great in these areas so far Down Under. To beat the Wallabies, they will have to be immaculate.
