Rugby: Johnson - The little things matter

Leicester captain Martin Johnson believes the smallest details will swing Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Llanelli.

The two sides, the strongest by far in their respective countries, have met twice already this season, in the pool stages of the competition, and not a try was scored.

The provisional starting line-ups were announced yesterday, with Llanelli returning to full strength providing all their injury concerns clear up while Leicester, the reigning European champions, sprung a few surprises.

Ollie Smith and Harry Ellis, both only 19, were included by director of rugby Dean Richards to play at outside centre and scrum-half respectively, forcing last year’s final hero Leon Lloyd onto the bench.

But Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins, who was surprised by one or two of the Tigers selections, admitted yesterday: ‘‘There is obviously a good reason for it.’’

And for Leicester it is about prizing open the opportunities and edging the crucial battles over the 80 minutes.

If they can win the individual contests, Johnson believes victory and a place in the Cardiff final will be assured.

‘‘We’ve seen how they can play and they’ve seen how we want to play,’’ Johnson said.

‘‘Both teams might change that a bit but I’d be surprised if they changed it completely, for the whole game.

‘‘At some point they’re going to run their big runners at us and we’ve got to stop them, and likewise us to them.’’

The England and British Lions skipper added: ‘‘It’s the little things. Whoever wins the tackle contest I think will win the game in the end.

‘‘Over the 80 minutes, if we are going forward in the tackles we’ll probably win the game.

‘‘It’s quite a simple game, as long as nothing spectacular happens and someone gets an interception and goes 95 yards, I think pressure and territory will count.

‘‘They’ve got a very good kicking game and they play the game in your half as much as they can. It’s a very effective way of playing the game and we’ll try and do the same to them. We’ll try and go wide on them and score tries.

‘‘There might not be too many surprises, it’s how you do it (the basics) that will win you the game more than what you do.’’

There was a definite air of tactical jousting as the teams were announced, with both coaches still at liberty to make alterations.

For Jenkins they could well be enforced, with concerns over four players - Neil Boobyer, Leigh Davies, Salesi Finau and Wayne Proctor heading into the weekend.

However, given the previous tryless encounters which ended with one victory apiece Leicester have left their options wide open, with three scrum-halves in the squad and an extremely versatile set of backs.

The club have had a long while to plan for this Sunday and after wrapping up their fourth successive Premiership title two weeks ago, they used their clash with struggling Leeds last Friday night as ideal preparation.

‘‘In a coaching sense, the coaches have probably been thinking about this game since it was announced, whilst keeping their eye on the ball with the league stuff,’’ Johnson explained.

‘‘As players we didn’t really start thinking about this until we had beaten Newcastle and won the league. And then to concentrate on this game we had to concentrate on the Leeds game and play well in that.’’

Smith played centre against the Tykes, Ellis at number nine in partnership Austin Healey at stand off and Richards has decided to stick with the same set-up but replacing Lloyd with Rod Kafer in the centre.

‘‘It’s a little bit horses for courses,’’ added Johnson. ‘‘You have good guys, like Leon and Ollie Smith they are both good players and you go with what you want to do on the day.

‘‘It’s hard on Leon. He scored two tries in the European Cup final 11 months ago but Ollie Smith’s got

the nod, Leon’s on the bench and I’m sure we’ll see him at some point and I’m sure he’ll have an influence on the game.’’