Bay prop does homework on Lions

Ben Castle (left) prepares to pack down with fellow front-rowers Aleki Lutui (centre) and Simms Davison during training yesterday at Mt Maunganui. Picture / Alan Gibson

It's a slight exaggeration to say Ben Castle knows his Lions front row opponent, Gethin Jenkins' inside collar size - but not much.

Bay of Plenty tighthead prop Castle is a student of other props and their work, especially in the case of an impending confrontation.

So he spent plenty of time in front of the television during the Six Nations championship and worked his way through a few tapes to bone up on what to expect from burly Welshman Jenkins, and English tighthead Matt Stevens, ahead of Saturday's tour opener in Rotorua.

"I had a look at a few tapes of the Six Nations and the game against the Pumas last week," said the 25-year-old barrel-like Wellingtonian.

"Jenkins is a big man and primed as the next big thing from Wales. So it's going to be a good battle."

Castle had an in-and-out time with the Chiefs in this year's Super 12 after making his debut, and only starting appearance, last year, against the Crusaders. It's no surprise he remembered it as "a tough learning curve".

This year he battled the likes of Deacon Manu, Simms Davison and Michael Collins for selection in the 22 before nailing a starting spot in the latter stages of the competition.

He even grabbed a winger's try in the left-hand corner against the Brumbies, which not surprisingly earned him some gip from his mates about seagulling front rowers.

Castle has degrees in commerce and physical education from Otago University, which might raise gnarly old front rowers' eyebrows.

He also didn't come to prominence by the national age group/Colts route. The closest he came to those heights was 20 minutes in a national under-19 trial about seven years ago.

Castle was playing representative B and development rugby for Otago, wondering how he'd get a look in considering the logjam of All Blacks past and present ahead of him.

A mate suggested he consider Bay of Plenty. So Castle made a call to coach Vern Cotter and here he is, bedded into the Bay pack and preparing for his third NPC campaign this year.

He likes the way the squad has come together for Saturday and hopes the Chiefs component - which will provide the bulk of the pack when Cotter names his 22 today - can reprise the quality and class they produced in the latter half of the Super 12.

"We've only got a week and the attitude is getting everything right, and not leaving until it's right."