Nick Mallett's interesting take on the Lions comes with a warning

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett believes Andy Farrell’s preferred coaching style and the dynamic squad that he’s picked could spell trouble for the British & Irish Lions in Australia this summer.

Looking ahead to the Test series on the Behind The Ruck podcast, Mallett sat on the fence in terms of predicting the outcome of the series, going for 2-1 either way.

But if the Lions try to match the Wallabies by playing a high-tempo, possession-based game, he could be swayed towards a shock home win. And by selecting mobile, hybrid back-rowers over big gain-line enforcers, Farrell seems intent on doing that.

“Look back to the times they have won, (Martin) Johnson was a lock, they came over here (South Africa) in ’97 and won, Willie John McBride, he was also a lock forward, Paul O’Connell, they picked him, and now they’ve got Itoje … they like going with locks. But then you’ve got to play that dominant forward-type style of play because if you play a running game vs Australia, you are going to play into Australia’s hands.

“Because Farrell coaches Ireland, he’s going to want to play this phase-play rugby that the Irish play, so there’s going to be mobility and movement, and I think there’s going to be opportunities for Australia.”

The Joe Schmidt factor is another element that Mallett feels is important. Mallett has been impressed with the way the former Ireland coach has turned things around after the Wallabies failed to qualify out of their pool for the first time in World Cup history at the last tournament, when coached by Eddie Jones.

He said: “I think Joe Schmidt is a very good coach. He’s already pulled them together … I don’t know what Eddie Jones was thinking, but whatever he was doing at the World Cup, that didn’t work. Joe Schmidt took that and pulled it together, and they had a really good northern hemisphere tour, playing good rugby, exciting, beating England in the last minute, and Wales, and did really well.

“Previously, I thought it was going to be 3-0 to the British Lions, now I think it is going to be quite competitive. But it all depends on how the Lions pick in key positions.”

Reading between the lines, Mallett would go with Fin Smith over Finn Russell as his starting 10,  even though the Scot has previous LIons experience.

“Fin Smith is a little bit more controlled in what he does. I think if you played centre, you’d prefer to play with Fin Smith. He’ll stop a defender to create space for you.

“I think Finn Russell tends to have a little go, and when it is not on, suddenly the pass is coming, and good luck!

“Look at how Fin Smith played in that game vs Leinster, look at how he played vs the Bulls, he’s come through, and you get certain players like that at 22. He has a feel for the players around him and will choose the right option.”