The British and Irish Lions obviously want to start their tour well and they have top internationals in their side. The Royal XV will want to prove their worth even though they have no household names, no internationals in their side.

It should be a gentle start for the Lions on a good playing surface on a balmy day.

There may well be little South African interest in this match as a match, not with the Super 14 Final some 150 km to the east.

It is more than likely that more people will be going from Rustenburg to Pretoria than from anywhere to Rustenburg. It's a pity that the start to such an important tour should start in this way but then nobody knew that the Final would be in Pretoria till last Saturday evening.

The Lions have picked a powerful side captained by Paul O'Connell, the touring team's captain, but then any side that they picked from their touring party would be a powerful side against opposition whose highest achievers are some occasionals from the bottom of the Super 14 ladder - Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius, Deon van Rensburg, Bjorn Basson and Bees Roux.

The Kings of the Beasts from over the sea should have a right royal time of it against King Leruo Molotlegi's men. It's hard to see how the Royals can make any impression against the professional might of O'Connell's pride who will be eager to make an impressive start to the tour.

All the king's men may well be a lot of Daniels in a den where the Lions do not lie down peacefully.

The best of the Royals are probably Bjorn Basson, Naas Olivier and Sarel Pretorius. How much ball they will get is a moot point. But the Royals' best chance may well be to run everything, tackle everything and generally loosen up the game as much as possible.

The Lions no doubt will start with frontal power, enjoying the return to the uncollapsible maul, powering the scrums and belting into the tackles.

Players to watch:

For the Lions: Especially the younger ones, starting with the exciting centre pairing of explosive young Keith Earls and strong Jamie Roberts. The Welsh duo of Lee Byrne and Shane Williams should have plenty of chance to go skating free on the firm Royal Bafokeng surface. The forwards are likely to be powerful and cohesive with perhaps Andy Powell and Martyn Williams catching the eye. That means there are several Welsh players to watch.

For the Royal XV: The most obvious of the Royals may well be mercurial Sarel Pretorius who may well have deserved more opportunities with the Cheetahs than he was allowed. And if they can get the ball to speedy Bjorn Basson the former Dale College boy may well be able to excite.

Head to Head: It's hard to find an equal contest. The best of the battles may well be at outside centre - the one-time Leopard Deon van Rensburg against the new Lion Keith Earls.

Prediction: The Lions to win by 40 points or more.

Teams:

British & Irish Lions: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Andrew Sheridan
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 Alun-Wyn Jones, 19 Stephen Ferris, 20 Mike Phillips, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Riki Flutey

Royal XV: 15 Russell Jeacocks, 14 Egon Seconds, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Hanno Coetzee, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jonathan Mokuena, 7 Devon Raubenheimer, 6 Wilhelm Koch (captain), 5 Jacques Lombaard, 4 Rudi Mathee, 3 Bees Roux, 2 Rayno Barnes, 1 Albertus Buckle.
Replacements: 16 Pellow van der Westhuizen, 17 Stef Roberts, 18 Rynard Landman, 19 RW Kember, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Jovan Bowles.

Date: Saturday, May 30 2009
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Expected weather conditions: Clear skies with a high of 21ºC and a low of 0ºC, wind variable
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

365

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