By overlooking Tom Croft in favour of Alan Quinlan, the Lions have decided where to win the war according to Stuart Barnes in the Sunday Times.
"The Lions can lose the lineouts and win the series, but if the battle at the breakdown is lost so too is hope of a third series win in South Africa. Hence the much-maligned decision to sacrifice the towering potential of Tom Croft for the nefarious tricks of Alan Quinlan.
"More than any other selection, this one reveals the thinking behind the Lions’ strategy. Gerald Davies opened Tuesday’s press conference by saying they intended to play “smart rugby”. For smart rugby, read Munster rugby – and for Munster rugby, read brilliance at the breakdown."
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