Hamish Watson has spoken about Lions selection hopes following his award-winning Six Nations campaign
Scotland back row Hamish Watson, the Guinness Six Nations player of the tournament, has admitted there can no guarantee that he will tour with the Lions later this year because he might not be their style of player to take on South Africa. The 29-year-old has won 41 caps since his 2015 debut and has been enjoying a rich vein of form in 2021.
However, Watson suggested that momentum isn’t everything when it comes to Lions selection. To illustrate his point, the Scotland favourite claimed that Manu Tuilagi, the England midfielder, was likely to be selected at centre on reputation despite currently being out of the game injured.
Watson has been to the fore in the recent Scotland resurgence, helping his country to away wins in Wales, England and France in the past six months, and those results on the road have enhanced the credentials of numerous Scottish players ahead of the May 6 announcement of the Lions squad by Warren Gatland.
The forward reckoned it would ultimately come down to one man’s opinion – Gatland’s – but he was hopeful that the presence of Scotland boss Gregor Townsend on the Lions coaching ticket would wield more of an influence on the selection of this squad to tour South Africa compared to 2017 in New Zealand when the Scots got just two original picks.
Speaking about his Lions selection chances during an appearance on the latest episode of The Rugby Pod, Watson said: “Scotland had a great Six Nations. We said at the start of the tournament as well that it was always the thing that Scotland couldn’t win away games, they don’t really win much away from home, but we have dealt pretty well with that.
The man, the mullet, the legend!
Great to have the one and only @hamishwatson7 join the lads this week to chat lids, lions and all things Scotland ?
?: https://t.co/RSnCfApGzR pic.twitter.com/KTEy1oKmtl
— The Rugby Pod (@TheRugbyPod) April 13, 2021
“We beat Wales away in 2020 and then France and England, so that has helped Scotland players out. You’d like to think there would be more than the two players on it in 2017. Quite a few boys put their hand up and a few boys are on form. For me personally, there is a bit of momentum but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter about momentum because I’m a strong believer that someone like Manu will probably go because he is a great player and he has not played since gosh knows when.
“I don’t know the last time he played but I would have him on the tour. Momentum is a big thing and form is a big thing but I don’t know, it’s up to one man I guess and the rest of his coaches. It would be amazing to go on the Lions tour but at the same account I feel like I played quite well in the Six Nations and if it doesn’t happen you are not his style of player. It would be tough to take but that is what it is I suppose.
“I don’t know how much sway Gregor would have. It’s important. In 2017, Gregor may have got asked for a role out there as well but it was his first year in Scotland and just two guys went on tour, so it helps to have a Scotland coach in there who knows all the boys really well. He can try and fight the corner for the Scotland boys that he thinks are good enough.”
Player of the Six Nations, terrifies defences around the world, and fans STILL disrespect him! ???? pic.twitter.com/gW90pC4hBL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 14, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments