British Lions / Ralph Ellis / 26 May 2009 / Leave a comment

The Lions may be staying first-class but in most other respects this tour is back-to-basics, reports Ralph Ellis.

The time was when touring teams shared rooms for one simple reason - to save money. And if you want to check the hotel rostas of Torquay when they travel to play Darlington you'll still find two to a room for exactly the same motive.

But what do you do when you are preparing the travel plans for top international sides and booking five-star hotels for players who are multi-millionaires? Aren't grown up blokes now entitled to their own space, especially if they could afford to forget the team plan and pay for the best suite themselves?

It's a debate that's rumbled around for a few years now, especially after England's disastrous trip to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, complete with WAGS and family entourage. The players all had their own rooms complete with Playstations, DVDs and all the other gizmos. Many old school coaches asked afterwards if that was one of the reasons that Sven Goran Eriksson's "golden generation" never gelled together as a team.

So it's interesting to learn that Ian McGeechan's band of British Lions arrived in South Africa yesterday and immediately booked into twin rooms at their first luxury HQ. That's in sharp contrast to the way Sir Clive Woodward organised the last Lions tour when all his players, complete with an army of sports scientists, fitness and specialist kicking coaches, had their own space. And okay the top rugby players aren't yet in the multi-millions financial bracket like the footballers, but they are still all worth a few bob.

According to captain Paul O'Connell it will set the tone for the tour - a squad that will live and work together for 24 hours a day.

"It will be an old-school tour," said the Irishman who was the only Northern hemisphere player nominated for the 2006 World player of the year award.

"There is already a big buzz within the squad, and there are a lot fewer people than four years ago.

"Everyone is on the pitch at the same time, everyone is in the gym together and everyone fits into the team room as one. Clive tried something different which looked good on paper but we struggled. We had a very big squad and a very big coaching staff and, straight away, we failed to come together as a team.

"First of all, we have got to be a team. We have got to want to play for each other, first and foremost. If you have bonds you will always be willing to play for others in the team."

The Lions remain a tasty [3.65] to win the Test series in South Africa, and I still think that's a tempting price given the better preparation and the inspiring quality of O'Connell's leadership. Don't forget that they beat the Springboks in their last trip when Martin Johnson was captain 12 years ago, and who was coach then? Exactly, it was McGeechan. That's why I'm laying a 3-0 South African whitewash at [2.74] which is currently favourite in the Series Correct Score market.

Five things you might not know about Paul O'Connell...

1. Born in Limerick in 1979 he was a star swimmer as a youngster.

2. As a young Munster player he gave away to his dad his ticket to the 2001 Heineken Cup quarter-final against Biarritz when he didn't get picked, and then had to climb over a fence at Thomond Park to get into the game.

3. His career moved forward when fitness trainer Mike McGurn took him through drills used by Rugby League team St Helens - and included a wrestling exercise in his work.

4. His claim to be one of only two players to appear in every minute of all three Test matches of the 2005 Lions tour is disputed because he spent ten minutes in the sin-bin.

5. He scored the last ever international try at the old Lansdowne Road before it was demolished for redevelopment.