How Lions provided the performance of the URC so far: 'They gave Cardiff a lesson'

The URC season is still very much in its infancy, but former star Wales midfielder Jamie Roberts already has a contender for the performance of the campaign.

Rendering his observation just that little bit more tasty is the fact that its an unlikely candidate: the Lions' 31-18 victory over Cardiff in round three a fortnight ago.

Context is important here.

Even at the height of their Super Rugby success - three consecutive finals between 2016 and 2018 - the men from Doornfontein were criticised for lacking the ability to adapt to tighter match situations, particularly when conditions rendered their expansive approach less effective.

On a wet and windy night at Cardiff Arms Park, Ivan van Rooyen's vintage laid down a huge marker with a showing that was pleasantly out of character, a low-risk one that was executed brilliantly. 

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"I think back at the Lions-Cardiff game and that was just a complete lesson in how to manage a game in difficult conditions," Roberts, who played 93 Tests for the Dragons, told a URC roundtable event.

"It wasn't pretty, the wind was howling and it was p**sing down with rain. The Lions just grabbed that game by the scruff of the neck and it was a lesson in how to manage a wet weather game.

"I was sitting and thinking we, as the Welsh, should be doing that better because we're playing in rain for most of the season. The Lions gave Cardiff a lesson. It's really been notable how the South African teams are just adapting quicker to how the game is being played in the northern hemisphere."

Naturally, he also points out that local franchise's adaptability isn't the sole reason for their continued success,