Lions legend says they need a pattern of confrontation against Springboks: 'That's their DNA'

Former captain Paul O'Connell says it will be vital for the British and Irish Lions to choose a leader capable of beating the Springboks at their own game next year. Rugby fans can book British and Irish Lions Tour Tickets on our website on exclusively discounted prices.

The former Ireland lock, who captained the Lions when they lost the 2009 2-1 series to the Springboks, says it will be a unique experience on tour in South Africa and therefore they need a particular type of personality as a leader.

"When you go South Africa you probably need someone confrontational because that is their DNA. You have to have a tactic to beat South Africa, to trick them," O'Connell said, as quoted by the Lions' official website.

"But you certainly have to take them on confrontationally as well. If they begin to get on top of you in the collisions their belief begins to grow, as we saw in the World Cup final. You need to take them on and you need a captain that will drive that philosophy as well."

O'Connell, who also toured with the Lions to New Zealand in 2005 and Australia in 2013, mentioned the names of England lock Maro Itoje and flyhalf Owen Farrell as candidates. Rugby fans can book British and Irish Lions Tour Tickets on our website.

He is the type of player you want to play against South Africa. He is a world-class athlete and a phenomenal second-row striker. I like to watch him play, he's always pushing the limits. I'm surprised that he doesn't award more penalties than he does.

"He is always pushing at the rucks, around the offside line, and is brilliant at collapsing mauls, brilliant at stopping teams mauling. He is a real pleasure to watch in that regard. But I do not know what he is like in the dressing room, what he is like in terms of leadership, and leading a group of men."

Owen Farrell

Regarding Farrell, who was England's captain when they lost last year's Rugby World Cup final 32-12 to South Africa in Yokohama, O'Connell stated: I know a lot of people feel like you need a second rower or a front-row forward captaining the side when you face SA, but a player like Owen Farrell also has that abrasive attitude.

"He is also very experienced now in terms of taking on Southern Hemisphere teams and beating them. He has obviously also had that tough experience against South Africa in the World Cup, so he is someone who springs to mind."

Paul O'Connell

O'Connell, 40, played 115 tests in an illustrious career that included 108 for Ireland and seven for the Lions.

He retired from professional rugby in 2016 before going into coaching - he was an assistant coach for the Ireland under-20 side 2017-18 and forwards coach at French giants Stade Francais 2018-19. He currently works as a rugby pundit and commentator for BBC Sport.

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