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Lions 2017: The big decisions facing Warren Gatland
Time is running out for Warren Gatland to settle on the squad he will take to New Zealand in June in the hope of securing a second series win as British and Irish Lions head coach.
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Gatland oversaw a 2-1 win in Australia four years ago but does not have history on his side when it comes to the All Blacks, with the Lions having not won a series in the Wales coach’s homeland since 1971.
Here we take a look at the biggest calls Gatland will have toiled over in recent months, and some that may still be giving him a headache as decision day looms.
CAPTAIN
No decision commands more attention than this one, but Gatland has frequently played down the significance of the role, stressing whoever is chosen will not necessarily be a guaranteed Test starter.
Sam Warburton is favourite for a return to the role he occupied in 2013, although injury and his decision to relinquish the Wales captaincy could have a bearing on Gatland’s decision.
Current Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones is also in contention, but Ireland’s Rory Best will tick a lot of boxes when Gatland weighs up his options.
Best is the only man to captain a side to victory over the All Blacks since August 2015 and he inspired Ireland to a spirited victory over England in the final round of the Six Nations.
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England skipper Dylan Hartley is not certain of a place in the squad, so his chances of being handed the captaincy appear slim, while Best’s compatriot Conor Murray is fancied by some.
In 11 days we’ll know the Lions squad heading to New Zealand, players that will form friendships for life #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/FD5XpN6GRi
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) April 8, 2017
BACK ROW
Gatland has already commented that “some quality players will miss out on selection” in the second and back rows, and it is an area of great depth for the Lions.
Warburton impressed during the Six Nations and could be joined by international team-mates Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau and Ross Moriarty, while Ireland will expect to be strongly represented.
Jamie Heaslip, CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony are all in the mix and that’s before even considering any English or Scottish options.
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A fully fit Billy Vunipola will be expected to start the first Test at number eight, while England colleagues Chris Robshaw and James Haskell will also hope to be involved, and Scotland’s Hamish Watson will be hoping for a spot.
FLY-HALF
The interesting thing about the decision facing Gatland at 10 is that he could be spoiled for kicking options throughout the backs, depending on the selections he makes in other positions.
Stuart Hogg, Leigh Halfpenny, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell and Greig Laidlaw are all proficient goal kickers but will be under consideration for positions other than fly-half.
It is difficult to see Jonathan Sexton being left at home but one – or maybe two – of Dan Biggar, George Ford and Finn Russell will likely be omitted, given the depth of kicking talent.
BACK THREE
Hogg was one of the standout performers of the Six Nations, scooping the player of the championship award, and is tipped by many to be handed the Lions’ Test 15 jersey.
With Liam Williams and Halfpenny able to play across the back three, it could spell trouble for full-back specialist Mike Brown’s chances, while the versatility of England team-mate Daly may also keep him out.
Rob Kearney’s inclusion will be dependent on him being able to shake off arm and knee injuries.
Gatland is not short of options on the wings, with George North, Anthony Watson, Simon Zebo and Tommy Seymour also pushing for a place.
“He’s been unleashed!”
The moment @George_North sent fans crazy in 2013! Wishing Lion number 792 a very happy of birthday! #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/d63BCgKFAU
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) April 13, 2017
WILDCARDS
One intriguing aspect of Gatland’s squad will be whether he opts for anyone currently outside the national set-ups of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
New Zealand-born code hopper Denny Solomona has impressed since leaving Castleford Tigers for Sale Sharks and has declared himself available for England selection.
Chris Ashton’s England career may be over as he prepares to head to Toulon next season, but he could be in Gatland’s thoughts, as might Clermont Auvergne’s Nick Abendanon.
Veteran Welsh hooker and 2013 tourist Richard Hibbard has also been mentioned after some fine performances for Gloucester, but Danny Cipriani’s chances of sneaking in look slim due to the aforementioned options in his positions.
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Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments