‘In your head’: Lions assistant highlights focus after shock loss

British & Irish Lions assistant coach John Fogarty has explained “little things around mentality” have been the key focus this week as the touring side looks to bounce back from last weekend’s shock loss to Argentina against the Western Force.

When the Lions walked out onto the field at the 60,000-seat capacity Optus Stadium ahead of their captain’s run on Friday, there were a few laughs before training began, then turning their focus to the session under the sun in Perth.

New skipper Dan Sheehan led the side out onto the field, with head coach Andy Farrell making 13 changes to the starting side alone for this fixture. Leinstermen Gary Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier are among those also named to debut.

Sam Cane on the differences he experienced with the Barbarians

Sam Cane on the differences he experienced with the Barbarians

While the matchday side looks a fair bit different this week, cohesion has been one of the big takeaways from the week, as Fogarty discussed. New teammates are talking, training and reviewing tape together, which has been “really cool to watch” for the coaches.

“There was a few bits around our kick-chase and on the back of our kick-chase, the scraps on the ground, little things around mentality,” the Irish scrum guru told reporters on Friday.

“I think sometimes you come into a game, it’s a big occasion, it’s the first time, and you’re thinking – you’re in your head a little bit, not playing the game on instinct.

“That’s why this week has been so important, getting a bit more cohesive, and a bit more in sync, so when we come to game day we can work on instincts and stuff like scraps on the ground and kick-chase and all these things become a bit more natural to us.”

While the Lions will go into this match as strong favourites, the Force have named a strong team that boasts 11 international players in their 23-man group. Former England hooker Nic Dolly will come off the bench, forming a one-two punch with Wallaby Brandon Paenga-Amosa.

95-Test veteran Kurtley Beale has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, but coach Simon Cron was able to call in Ben Donaldson from Wallabies camp as a replacement. There are another five players from the 2025 Wallabies squad in this Force side.

Carlo Tizzano, Harry Potter and regular Force captain Jeremy Williams are all still with the top squad over on the east coast, with Australia set to host Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, so that talented trio will miss this Lions match.

Stand-in skipper Nic White described the clash as a “huge occasion” earlier on Friday and that sentiment has been repeated again and again by the Force this week. For them it’s a once-in-a-lifetime match, and the Lions are more than ready for what the hosts will bring.

“Anytime you get into a game of rugby you should be expecting to bash someone and get bashed,” Fogarty said.

“We’re excited to play, we’re excited to represent everyone at home.

“I mean how good is this stadium? It’s such a cool place to play and that’s what we’re excited to do, to show the best of ourselves tomorrow.”