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'I will definitely not be coaching England'
Warren Gatland has “categorically” ruled out coaching England. The Wales boss was confirmed as British and Irish Lions head coach for the 2021 tour to South Africa in London on Wednesday and then quickly scotched any talk of taking charge of England in the future.
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The 55-year-old has the chance to go unbeaten in a Lions Test series for a record third consecutive tour in South Africa, after winning the 2013 series in Australia and drawing in New Zealand four years later.
Gatland will relinquish his job as Wales head coach after this autumn’s World Cup and then will start full-time with the Lions in August 2020. But despite strong links to a future role with England, Gatland now looks likely to return to his native New Zealand after his 2021 Lions duties.
“I can categorically tell you now I will definitely not be coaching England,” Gatland told TalkSport. Gatland had been touted as a replacement for Eddie Jones, whose England contract expires in 2021.
The current Wales boss’ Lions duties would have left him available at just the right time for England – although he has previously joked England would not be able to afford his services.
"I can categorically tell all the Welsh fans that I will not be coaching England."
Warren Gatland exclusively tells talkSPORT that he will not be replacing Eddie Jones as England head coach.
What do you make of this? ? pic.twitter.com/TK79NCh3sR
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 12, 2019
Now he has definitively ruled out coaching England, it paves the way for a future Super Rugby coaching role – and perhaps a long-term crack at leading the All Blacks.
Gatland led the Lions to a surprise drawn series with back-to-back world champions New Zealand in 2017, on a tour he admitted at times he did not enjoy. But now the decorated Wales boss has admitted the chance to lead the Lions again was an opportunity he simply could not refuse.
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"Nothing in life is worth doing unless it's challenging"
The story of Warren Gatland's epic Lions journey has it all… pic.twitter.com/TgSZCldNf1
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 12, 2019
“I love the Lions as a concept, there were parts of the New Zealand tour that were incredibly challenging,” said Gatland. “Any Lions tour for players and coaches is probably the hardest thing you’ll ever do as a coach, in terms of planning and preparation.
“Scrutiny of the press was at the forefront at the time, but the hospitality in New Zealand, the atmosphere in the games, it was incredible. Being part of the Lions and with an opportunity to go to South Africa, there was some unfinished business from 2009. I couldn’t turn my back on this challenge.
One Irishman has ignited a debate about the Lions playing its safe https://t.co/4mRno1KcdW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 12, 2019
“And to think about the possibility of leading the Lions in South Africa, I know it’s going to be tough, a real rugby hotbed in terms of going over there, and the Lions in the past have always found it quite difficult, how physical and passionate they are. I spoke to my family and thought this is something I couldn’t turn my back on.”
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– Press Association
WATCH: Episode six of Don’t Mess with Jim, the weekly RugbyPass series hosted by former Scotland international Hamilton
Comments on RugbyPass
Looked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
34 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
34 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
34 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
34 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
34 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
34 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
34 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
34 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
34 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to comments