Lions flyhalf Chris Smith will be a key component for his side when they take on Leinster in the URC quarter-finals on Saturday in Dublin.
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The Lions must follow the Bordeaux Begles blueprint against Leinster on Saturday evening if they are to stand any chance of success in their first-ever United Rugby Championship quarter-final.
Last weekend, the French club produced a superb display to expose Leinster’s defensive flaws, dismantling the Irish giants 41-19 in the Champions Cup final.
It was a ruthless performance that stunned one of Europe’s most dominant sides and offered a valuable lesson for the Johannesburg outfit ahead of their clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening (9pm kick-off).
There may still be some lingering scar tissue from that heavy defeat in Leinster’s camp, but the Lions would be wise not to focus too heavily on the emotional fallout. Instead, they should study the tactical blueprint Bordeaux used so effectively and look to incorporate aspects of it into their own approach.
Bordeaux played with real intensity, taking the game directly to Leinster and refusing to allow the Irish side any rhythm on attack. Their defensive effort was outstanding, constantly pressuring Leinster’s dangerous backline and giving them little time or space to operate.
But perhaps the biggest lesson for the Lions lies in the way Bordeaux dismantled Leinster’s rush defence. The Champions Cup final was effectively over by half-time, with the defending champions storming into a 35-7 lead through a blistering opening 40 minutes. That fast start is something the Lions desperately need if they are to stay in the contest.
However, simply throwing the ball wide and hoping space appears on the edges will not be enough. Bordeaux earned the opportunity to attack wide by first aggressively targeting the middle channels with powerful ball carriers.
Once Leinster’s defensive line tightened, clever passes out the back exposed the rush and created opportunities out wide. Time and again, Bordeaux found space for dangerous finishers Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud to exploit.
The Lions have strike runners capable of causing similar damage, but only if they can create the necessary space and momentum. During their previous trip to Dublin, they struggled significantly to dismantle Leinster’s defensive structure and seldom posed a consistent threat.
Saturday presents an opportunity to correct those shortcomings. If the Lions can replicate the accuracy, physicality and attacking intelligence Bordeaux displayed, they could make this a far tighter contest than many expect.
Fail to do so, though, and it could turn into another long night at the Aviva Stadium for the South African side.