British Lions / Editor / 25 June 2009 / Leave a comment

Cardiff and Wales centre Tom Shanklin picks his starting XV for Saturday's Second Test and explains why he believes the Lions can win in Pretoria.

Many were quick to criticise the Lions performance in their First Test defeat but they played better rugby than South Africa and took away far more positives from the game than people realise.

The Springboks didn't really try to attack and mostly relied upon our errors in the first half whereas many of the Lions players looked very strong. Mike Phillips played brilliantly. He was always a threat at the breakdown, gave the Lions good go forward around the fringes and was very unlucky not to have scored two tries. The centres, Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll, played extremely well and were key to the Lions attack. Tom Croft always seemed to pop up at the right time and played like an open side flanker around the field, being the first to the breakdown and always the first in support.

As soon as rain started to fall at Newlands on Tuesday night, I knew the Lions were in for a fight. Any possibility of free flowing attacking rugby was shattered by the appalling conditions. The Lions tried hard to stamp their authority on the game but countless errors and turnovers created havoc. Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Williams, both hungry for the ball, attacked with solid hands but the slippery conditions hampered them. James Hook took his points well and looked to take the Emerging Boks on at every occasion. If you're looking for a player to come on to change a game, Hook is the best choice. I think he'll get a bench spot this weekend.

I hope the Lions start the second test the way they ended the first. They need a solid set piece, allowing the backs to get over the game line in the first phase attack. It's crucial that the players are more disciplined and do not give away kicking opportunities to Ruan Piennar. The penalties they give away eats into the momentum of all their hard work.

In terms of the starting 15, I'd like to see Shane Williams play. Pundits are quick to criticise when he has a quiet game but he offers something that the other wingers don't. I'd also like to see Adam Jones in the starting pack. I'm not sure whether it was down to the Springboks tiring out - I'm not the biggest know all on scrums - but when Jones came on to replace Phil Vickery after 45 minutes he made an immediate impact and strengthened the scrum.

The inclusion of Schalk Burger for the Second Test strengthens the Springboks team. He will contest every breakdown for 80 minutes. If the Lions can successfully remove Burger from the breakdown their life will be a lot easier

I know I said it last week but this Saturday will be an extremely tight game. Last week the Lions came into the game late. They'll spend this week correcting the errors they've made and on Saturday they'll be ready from the off. The Lions outscored the Springboks three tries to two in the First Test so this game will come down to discipline and penalties, something which are, at this point in the series, too critical to give away.

Although I expect the game to be extremely tight, I think the Lions will have the edge and for that reason I recommend backing them at [3.55].

My starting XV for this Saturday:

15 Lee Byrne
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Brian O'driscoll
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Luke Fitzgerald
10 Stephen Jones
9 Mike Phillips
8 Jamie Heasilp
7 Paul Wallace
6 Tom Croft
5 Simon Shaw
4 Paul O'Connell
3 Adam Jones
2 Matthew Rees
1 Gethin Jenkins