The British and Irish Lions arrived in South Africa hoping to emulate the class of 1997 and The Rugby Club was there to see their first training session.
The contact area and the breakdown are key areas and it is vital that the Lions get at least parity in that area against the Springboks.
"Defensively we have done a lot of work and over the next few weeks we will be working really hard on the breakdown," Warren Gatland told The Rugby Club.
Barnes shares his inside knowledge
"We have just taken it back to basics about winning the collisions. If you win the collisions and the breakdown then you are on the front foot and you can get some quick ball. If you lose those collisions then you can be in a bit of trouble."
Watching from the sidelines, Stuart Barnes was impressed by the drills Shaun Edwards is using to improve the breakdown, and also the communication on the training paddock.
It's the breakdown and it is important. If the Lions are going to win the series they have got to win that battle."
Stuart Barnes
Quotes of the week
Follow the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa on Sky Sports throughout Grand Slam Summer. The first game against Highveld is live on Sky Sports on 30th May.
For more on the Grand Slam Summer click here
"We are seeing players from four nations coming together here," said Stuart.
"There are Irish, Welsh, English and Scottish voices - it is all about knowing where you are, knowing where the support is and knowing where the depth is coming from.
"Sean Edwards is on defence and I have just heard him shout there 'make sure you rip the ball out of his hands.'
"What is happening there at the moment in the drills is that the ball carrier is going down - the tackler is with him. The first guy is going in over the top and Sean is saying rip it out of his hands; don't let him hold onto it.
"It's the breakdown and it is important. If the Lions are going to win the series they have got to win that battle."
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