A lineout guru for Saracens, England and the Lions, George Kruis believes the set-piece will be key in the tourists’ first test against South Africa this afternoon.
“I think the set-piece, in general, will be huge,” said Kruis, who was a key part of Warren Gatland’s squad four years ago in New Zealand.
“You just look back at the last game the Springboks played together, the Rugby World Cup final, and how that panned out with their 6-2 split on the bench and focus on physicality from the first minute.
“They will load up with big fellas. We (the Lions) will have to be smart in the way we play to combat a team that will almost be totally focused on the set-piece.
“I think playing a third second-row against South Africa is a good tactic to go with from Warren Gatland, getting an extra 10kg against a monstrous pack.”
He added “Courtney Lawes is someone who can get about and is an out-and-out option, and Tadhg Beirne will be a brute force off the bench. It’s a nice balance”
Away from rugby, Kruis has thrown himself even more into Four Five CBD, the business he launched with former Sarries team-mate Dom Day in 2018.
And ahead of the first Test against South Africa, Kruis and his company are giving you the chance to win a signed Lions 2017 jersey.
Explaining more about CBD, which is used by 25% of rugby players including high-profile stars such as Finn Russell, the second-row revealed: “There’s a load of hype on CBD at the moment, but long-term for me it will be seen as simply a supplement.
“There’s both really good anecdotal and scientific evidence coming in almost daily.
“We’ve always concentrated first and foremost on creating a good product, and from that, we’ve continued to expand our range.”
They also run a programme of supporting athletes for life after sport called ‘Teamplayers’ which already includes more than 20 athletes.
In addition, Fourfive has a policy to donate a percentage of its profit to grassroot sporting charities.
Check out the full range of CBD and nutrition products available at fourfivecbd.co.uk.