Not a pretty sight as Lions collapse with finish line in view

Lions will need changes as basic gameplan comes up short

British & Irish Lions captain  Alun Wyn Jones. Picture: Steve Haag/PA

Racing buffs will know the sorry tale of Devon Loch. He was the ill-fated steeplechaser leading the 1956 Grand National with the finishing line in sight only to succumb to a mysterious and literal collapse onto the Aintree turf. No explanation for it, just one of those unlikely misfortunes that can happen in sport, and an event that sprung to mind when thinking about the British & Irish Lions on Saturday night.

The Lions may not have been exactly cantering towards a series win over South Africa as they reached half-time in last Saturday’s second Test but it looked as if they had everything under control and victory was in reach.