Grey, wet, windy: Tough conditions await Lions against Scarlets

The Lions, given a big scare by unfancied Zebre in round one last week, face an altogether different challenge when they face Welsh side Scarlets in the second round of the United Rugby Championship in Llanelli on Friday.

Not only are Scarlets a star-studded side featuring several Welsh players in their ranks, the conditions in Wales are also likely to favour the home team.

Scarlets are captained by former British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies and boast plenty of experience, though they are weakened somewhat by the absence of 13 frontline players – six of whom are full internationals – because of injury.

But the Lions’ main challenge may be the conditions.

“The weather’s very different to what it was in Italy last week,” said Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen on Thursday.

“That’s the challenge of playing in Europe; it’s what makes this competition great.

“The prediction is that it’s going to be grey, wet and windy. It’ll be rainy and cold, and is likely going to be a nice physical battle.”

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Lions captain Burger Odendaal added: “It’ll be like playing at Newlands. The weather will force a change, so it’ll be up to the decision-makers in the team to get us on the front foot and into the right areas on the field. Game management is going to be key and I suspect our kicking game will be challenged a bit.”

Odendaal, however, felt the poor conditions would make it an even contest.

“Playing in the wet doesn’t ever favour anyone more, it’s more 50/50. Our forwards will just have to make the step up.”

The Lions go into the game on the back of a 38-26 win against Zebre, while Scarlets lost 22-26 away to Edinburgh.

Van Rooyen has picked the same team that did duty in Parma, Italy, last Friday, for this match. And it would seem he’s expecting a far bigger challenge.

“It’s nice to be able to select the same team,” he said.

“Scarlets get a lot of their energy from their attacking style, they express themselves through their attack and there are lots of players with X-factor.

“They’ve also got a very good kicking game. They’re a good team, with quality halfbacks; it’s a good system.”

Kick-off on Friday night is 8.35pm SA time.