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.
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.
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.
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.
Watch every match of the Lions Tour NZ streaming live on rugbypass.com, home of the best online rugby coverage including news, highlights, previews & reviews, live scores, and more!
Comments on RugbyPass
Farcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
7 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
7 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
61 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
7 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
61 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
61 Go to comments