Fazball the way forward for Lions team intent on playing exciting rugby

Lions remain committed to positive approach with ball in hand and attack coach does not want them to tighten up

The Lions are still looking to be positive with ball in hand, rather than the restrictive gameplan favoured by Warren Gatland four years ago. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

In mid-November, cricket’s Ashes series will commence in the same Optus Stadium where the British & Irish Lions will kick off their tour of Australia on Saturday. There are some keen cricket fans within the Lions squad who stayed up late to watch England’s compelling final-day win at Headingley, but out on the training pitch the collective priority is not so much Bazball as its oval-shaped cousin, Fazball.

Andy Farrell, the Lions head coach, has been at pains since his squad’s arrival here to make two things clear. The first is that preparation time is of the essence and should not be wasted by endlessly second-guessing what might lie ahead. The second is that the touring side can not afford to retreat into their tactical shells after their loss to Argentina in Dublin last Friday.