B&I Lions warned of predictable Boks

SPOTLIGHT: England lock George Kruis has given insight to the British and Irish Lions ahead of their Series in South Africa.

Kruis may have ruled himself out of England contention by moving to Japan.

However, the lock revealed he would jump at the chance to join the British and Irish Lions squad.

The 31-year-old toured with the 2017 Lions in New Zealand and appeared in one Test.

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“I will certainly jump at the opportunity to play for the Lions,” Kruis told reporters in a virtual media briefing on Thursday.

“But being in Japan I know I have distanced myself.”

The 31-year-old has been really impressive at his Top League side – Wild Knights.

However,  he admitted that he has failed to put in a solid performance which could see him granted a spot in British and Irish Lions selections.

“I don’t think I’m playing well enough for Warren Gatland.

“I have plenty left in the tank, and I’ll be looking to bring that out in the last knock-out phase of the Top League,”

This Lions tour will be very unusual, given the side’s limited preparations as well as having to operate in a bubble.

Nonetheless, Kruis believed the Lions will have the advantage over South Africa, who last played a Test match in November 2019.

While, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales have all participated in the Nations Cup and Six Nations – giving Gatland ample time to scout for suitable players.

“The series is really going to tough and there will be lessons learned from all the four nations.

“Think they will know how best to go into that period and that is something they will have on their side, while South Africa will have to start fresh.

He added: “The Lions have been through that preparation period and will know what works, what doesn’t work as a group and that will put them in a good place,”

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Having featured off the bench in the World Cup final two years ago, the England star shed some light on Springboks’ game-plan.

“In terms of South Africa, you know what type of game they play: A big forward, set-piece game and probably a 6-2 split on the bench.

“However, I’m sure Warren’s squad will reflect that,”

He added: “He [Gatland]  is an experienced coach, he knows what players he wants in his team and I can’t see wholesale changes for the Lions,”

The British and Irish Lions are scheduled to travel to South Africa in July and August.

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