Four years ago, Finn Russell was part of the infamous ‘Geography Six’ whose arrival midway through the tour to New Zealand threatened to derail the whole event.

The chapter has been consigned to the list of great Lions controversies, but there is no sense that it was blown out of proportion. Even this week, England prop Joe Marler made it clear how unwelcome the players made their new squad mates who were called up because they happened to be in the same vicinity.

The England prop regrets his actions now, but his refusal to come off the pitch to allow Allan Dell come on spoke volumes at the time.

Russell did make it on for five minutes as a head injury assessment replacement, but it’s fair to say his Lions experience wasn’t a very wholesome one.

Now, he’s in on merit and his performance this evening will go a long way to defining his tour. 

Russell, it’s fair to say, is not a typical Warren Gatland No 10. However, with the Springboks coming down the track with one of the fastest defensive lines in the game, the Scot’s capacity to break a match wide open with his beautiful passing is a major factor.

Gatland and Gregor Townsend have a big decision to make when it comes to the style of play they want to employ.

Russell is at the heart of that decision. His risk-taking brings high reward when it comes off, but his error count is bigger than his rivals.

Dan Biggar impressed last week and is a more similar player to Johnny Sexton, who has worn the No 10 shirt in five of the last six Lions Tests, while Owen Farrell is also a like-for-like replacement for the Irishman.

Today, the England captain starts at No 12 and will be handed the kicking tee for shots at goal.

His presence outside Russell will be key. If they gel, they can become a devastating attacking force. 

Farrell’s strategic influence could put Russell on the straight and narrow when it comes to the more risky stuff, but if he can’t get on the same page as the maverick Racing 92 man, then they could prove incompatible.

Russell is box-office. He’s his own man. He’ll do this on his own terms.

Outside Farrell is the functional Chris Harris and a back-three laced with pace and threat.

Stuart Hogg will also come looking to take on the playmaking duties at times, meaning there is scope for multiple threats with ball in hand but also a confused attack full of people trying to run the show.

Last week, there was some cohesion to the Lions’ attack against Japan but they ran aground after half-time. Certainly, they can ill-afford to be as ill-disciplined with local refs in charge. At the same time, the local Lions are highly unlikely to be able to challenge them in the way the Brave Blossoms were in Murrayfield.

Up front, a pack infused with English beef will be able to handle itself. Hamish Watson can put himself in the Test frame with a big performance at No 7.

The Lions are the worst of the teams they’ll face in South Africa, but playing at altitude will take some adjustment. They’ll be young and fit, but the visiting tight-five is full of hard carriers and tough tacklers who can get on top and provide quick ball to that exciting backline.

“I think it is important first game out here to put a good step forward and show what we’re about and what we’re going to be about this tour,” blindside Courtney Lawes said. 

“Come the Tests, what type of pack we are going to be? We want to get out there and show what we can do. Regardless of who you play they’ll be gunning for you. They’re so up for it and they want to get stuck into you. We’ll be looking to impose our own physicality on the game. We’ve got good experience in our back-row and across the squad so hopefully that can come through.”

Avoiding further injury is key. 

Robbie Henshaw is nursing a hamstring and will miss the midweek game against the Sharks.

Travel and a long season is starting to take a toll.

This should be a comfortable first outing on South African soil. The opposition will be game, but limited and the tourists are playing together for the first time on the Highveld.

For Russell, it is a huge opportunity to convince the coaches that the double-playmaker role is a real option for the series.

The way things are lining up, there won’t be too many chances to impress. 

Verdict: Lions

GAUTENG LIONS – EW VViljoen; J Ulengo, M Rass, B Odendaal, R Maxwane; J Hendrikse, D Smit; N McBeth, PJ Botha, R Dreyer; R Schoeman, R Nothnagel; S Sangweni, V Tshituka, F Horn (capt). Reps: J Visagie, S Sithole, C Sadie, R Straeuli, E Tshituka, M van den Berg, F Zeilinga, D Kriel. 

LIONS – S Hogg (c); L Rees-Zammit, C Harris, O Farrell, J Adams; F Russell, A Price; W Jones, J George, K Sinckler; M Itoje, J Hill; C Lawes, H Watson, T Faletau. Reps: L Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Z Fagerson, I Henderson, S Simmonds, G Davies, B Aki, E Daly.

Ref – AJ Jacobs (South Africa).

Gauteng Lions v Lions, Live, Sky Sports, 5.0