‘Can create a lot of damage’: Kurtley Beale names danger man for British and Irish Lions ahead of clash with Force

Kurtley Beale has experienced first hand how dangerous one of the Lions’ main playmakers can be and has identified him as the man to watch. The former Wallaby also reflects on his infamous slip, 12 years on.

Kurtley Beale has identified Scottish maestro Finn Russell as the British & Irish Lions’ biggest threat as he prepares to face the playmaker on Saturday.

Russell is expected to be rushed straight into the Lions’ starting team against Western Force, after the side’s shock loss to Argentina last weekend ended their dreams of an undefeated tour. While the game in Dublin was not officially part of the Australian series, it is widely considered to be game one of their tour even though it was uncapped.

British and Irish Lions' Finn Russell arrives in Perth. Picture: Colin Murty / AFP

Furious Lions coach Andy Farrell, who described their performance as “unacceptable”, is expected to make wholesale changes to ensure his squad doesn’t suffer a humiliating second defeat in succession.

Russell is set to be the main man – and tipped to wear the No.10 jersey in the opening Test against the Wallabies on July 19 – after England rookie five-eighth Fin Smith’s sub-par outing.

Argentina celebrates victory over the British & Irish Lions in June. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Beale, who played against the Lions in 2013 and is remarkably set to line up against them 12 years later for the Force, knows how dangerous Russell can be.

“I played with him at Racing and he’s such a mercurial, unpredictable player,” Beale said.

“And I think with a forward pack like he will have in front of him, he can create a lot of damage.

“He’s obviously got some exciting outside backs outside him as well who will thrive off of his delivery, his service. So I think he’d be the danger man.”

Finn Russell warms up prior to the 1888 Cup international match between British & Irish Lions and Argentina. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Beale will line-up against the Lions for the Western Force. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

Others in line for their first game of the tour include Irish stars Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Dan Sheehan and Josh van der Flier, while brilliant halfback Jamison Gibson-Park (glute) and fullback Hugo Keenan (calf) are considered 50-50 chances.

Beale, 36, has a chequered history with the Lions.

In 2013, he lined up to take the match-winning penalty in the first Test in Brisbane, but slipped and missed, handing the visitors a 23-21 win.

While Australia fought back to level the series in the second Test, they were comprehensively beaten in the third as the Lions prevailed.

Beale still hasn’t watched a replay of his infamous slip.

Beale’s infamous slip. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Beale in action for the Wallabies against the Lions in 2013. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“That was obviously a real disappointment in that game one, an embarrassing moment,” Beale said.

“But plenty of learnings from that day on. I’ve worn studs (since). But look, a crucial moment in the series, wasn’t it? I was just very thankful to have strong teammates around me to pick me back up and get my focus into the next game, in game two.

“I still haven’t watched it properly. But you learn from that, and you put yourself in those kind of situations at training week in, week out, right? So try and correct your wrongs. And it’s just an ongoing process, and I feel like I’ve done that now.

“And as rugby players, it’s never-ending, right? So always learning, even at my age. You’re continually working on your craft, and goal-kicking for me has always been that.”

Originally published as ‘Can create a lot of damage’: Kurtley Beale names danger man for British and Irish Lions ahead of clash with Force