Simon Zebo has heaped praise on his former Munster team-mate Tadhg Beirne ahead of the second British and Irish Lions Test.
The back-rower was a standout in the opening match of the series as the tourists moved 1-0 in front following a 27-19 victory over the Wallabies.
Andy Farrell’s men will now look to go 2-0 up and make sure of the Lions’ first success since the 2013 trip to Australia.
Beirne once again starts at blindside flanker alongside openside Tom Curry and those two will seek to put pressure on the hosts’ breakdown.
How Beirne compares to the world’s best
Some were surprised that Ireland’s versatile back five forward was selected for the first Test, but Zebo believes that the influence the 33-year-old has on the teams he plays for is up there with the world’s best.
“The form Tadhg has been in for the last two or three years has been frightening, arguably up there with the Ardie Savea’s or the Antoine Dupont’s of this world in terms of the impact he has on his team-mates,” he told the Scotty and Izzy show.
“He’s so important. He has a great balance as he’s very relaxed and very chilled off the pitch – half the time you think he’s asleep – but when he brings it together, he’s an unbelievable leader.
“His work rate is what sets him apart. There are not many locks or hybrid back-rowers that can get through the work he does.
“His coachability, his handling in those three-man pods that they run off nine, he’s just so important to the core system Andy Farrell likes to run.”
Beirne’s late development
Beirne was a late developer and joined the Scarlets after being released from Leinster to ultimately kick-start his career.
The forward would duly become one of the best players at the Welsh region and that convinced Munster to bring him back home to Ireland.
After signing for the Munstermen in 2018, he made his Test debut in the same year and has gone on to earn over 60 Test caps.
Zebo insisted that Beirne has continued to improve since entering his 30s and that the lock and blindside will once again be key in this weekend’s encounter in Melbourne.
“He’s really excelled in the last couple of years but he has this freedom that I think Andy and co. give him where he’s just a menace because he’s very smart with how and when he uses his poaches [at the breakdown],” he said.
“He’s an all-round player and if the Lions want to get it done this weekend and have it all wrapped up, he’ll be key.”
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