Ronan O’Gara: It’s scary how good British and Irish Lions fly-half Fin Smith is going to be | Rugby Union News
The former British and Irish Lions of the Graze of Mouches Ronan O’Gara and Dan Biggar praised the current Lion fine Smith, with the first saying: “It is actually frightening to see how good it will be.”
The duo, both of Sky Sports’ The exclusive coverage of the Australian Lions tour this summer, took a look at the options available for head coach Andy Farrell at No. 10 after the Lions 52-12 victory against Reds on Wednesday, paying special attention to Smith.
The lions will then face the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, live Sky Sportsand O’Gara – who did a tour with the Lions on three tours in 2001, 2005 and 2009 – gave an overview of what he notices 23 years old.
“My point is around what defines the good of Great,” he said Sky Sports. “When the property becomes great, it is if you get the same opportunity but you perform it better.
“End Smith, his decision -making and his execution were a little offset in the attack before Jac Morgan’s test, but like many players, you must see him on Monday morning.
“What we have seen is on the first option, he does not choose it, but 20 minutes later in the last game of the game, he obtains exactly the same defensive image, plays the ball in the space outside and puts Garry Ringrose for an unexpected test.
End Smith has shown the ability to distinguish itself as “big” rather than “good”, says O’Gara
“What we saw in 20 minutes of play live is that he had the ball, he did not choose the right option the first time, but he did not make the same mistake the second time, which is very pleasant.
“It is frightening in fact how good he is going to be. This guy has a massive future.
“When I consider where I was at 23, it’s fantastic to see a guy playing with this freedom.”
Biggar, a tourist Lions in 2017 and 2021, concluded but added a note of caution with regard to a young learning of half of the fly at work.
“It’s fine Smith in a word: on the line, picking passes, etc.”, he said. “He looks like a test player.
“I know that he did not understand the first time well, but he learns the sleight and 20 minutes later, picks the right pass and ends with a really positive note.
“The only thing I would be just in charge is that the score is 47-12 at that time. You will get a lot of possession against the provincial teams in heating, but you can only have one chance of getting this in a test match or in a Lions series decision maker.
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Protective facts of the third match of the 2025 tour while the British and Irish lions faced the Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium
“Yes, when you get a lot of opportunities in the games, it will be good to learn but it is something that is important [to strike when the chance is there]. “”
O’Gara added that time in the saddle and camp with the Lions will only Smith.
“What is also really advantageous to explain to people at home is when you train with a guy, you get to know their habits.
“When you know the person behind the player, you have a much better chance when it is confronted with this pressure to remove the ace from their pocket.
“You do not understand the impact you have on the other 14 players with you [as a fly-half].
“Your body language, your impact, your mood, your ability to make mistakes and recover from them. This is the difference between a Lions player and a Lions test animal.”
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End Smith has executed a long pass to the left for the late Garry Ringrose against the Reds
Regarding the image of the test, Biggar said that he still thought that Finn Russell was ahead of the race to start the first test, but Smith played his way in the mixture.
“He probably made sure of this bench position in the tests per minute, if you get out of the current form.
“He was on the bench tonight, Marcus Smith was not involved and we will have to wait and see what role he will play, we are not very sure.
“Finn Russell will probably start this first test, I am 99%sure, what you have with the end Smith is a guy who is good in this form, understands, will learn quickly in the field and does not make too many mistakes.
“When you have Finn Russell in the field and you may need to change it for someone who is a safer or more basic pair of hands, it’s an excellent option for taking place.”
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The British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell discusses with Sky Sports after the Reds victory
Visit of the British and Irish Lions in Australia on Sky Sports
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Look at the tour of the British and Irish Lions in Australia live on Sky Sports this summer
Sky Sports will exclusively show the tour of the British and Irish lions in 2025 in Australia, with the three tests against the Wallabies and six warm -up matches to show exclusively live.
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