The real Lions squad surprises aren't the ones making headlines - Andy Goode
There was the usual consternation surrounding the British and Irish Lions squad selection yesterday but I actually love the look and feel of the squad.
Of course, there are a few surprises and the selections will be picked apart by everyone because it is the pinnacle of rugby on these shores but I had 26 of the men chosen by Warren Gatland in the 36-man squad I predicted.
The head coach opted to include an extra player in the end, naming a 37-man squad, and I have a feeling that may end up being 38 once Manu Tuilagi has returned for Sale Sharks and proven he’s fit enough to make the trip.
The likes of Bundee Aki, Jack Conan, Courtney Lawes and Sam Simmonds are the names being mentioned by many as being the biggest shocks but I actually think it’s a couple of the more established names that raised eyebrows more.
There will have been some players watching the announcement and feeling pretty fortunate to be included. That doesn’t mean in any way that they aren’t deserving of their places but not all 37 players have been picked on form.
Mako Vunipola and Elliot Daly stand out in that respect but both offer qualities that others in their position just don’t. Mako’s ability in the loose sets him apart and Elliot has a booming left boot that gives you a kicking option from your own half at sea level so that’ll almost extend to your own 22 at altitude!
Lawes’ inclusion shouldn’t have come as quite as much of a shock as it did. The fact that he’s currently returning from injury and has played just one Premiership game for Northampton this season is why it did but he played in a couple of Tests for the Lions in 2017, has 87 caps for England and, crucially, is perfectly suited to facing the Springboks in their own back yard.
I think that’s why a lot of people seem so taken aback by some of the selections because they didn’t take into account the opposition and conditions when making their predictions, whereas Gatland will have left no stone unturned and taken everything into account.
Physicality is clearly a factor that has informed his choices at centre and I have to admit that is one position I didn’t predict correctly. Had the Lions been touring Australia, there’s every chance Garry Ringrose and Henry Slade would’ve gone, but they aren’t.
Instead, Bundee Aki and Chris Harris have been selected for their physical and defensive capabilities. Aki, in particular, came out of leftfield for many but I did have him written down just outside the four names I forecast to be chosen at centre.
Clearly, his size and strength count in his favour but he offers far more that that. He’s got a more decent passing game than people give him credit for and has the ability to offload out of contact where others can’t.
Jonathan Davies is the most notable omission in the backs because of his relationship with Gatland and the fact that he was player of the series in 2017 but I think durability possibly counted against him, as it did Johnny Sexton.
The absence of James Ryan is related to physicality as well for me. I know he’s only recently returned from injury but he was dominated when Leinster lost to La Rochelle last weekend.
He also didn’t play in Ireland’s big win over England in March but did feature in the three previous defeats against the same opposition when physicality was one of the major deciding factors.
On the flip side, Conan was a surprise Irish inclusion but he was a name I floated as a possible inclusion earlier in the week as well because he’s been in great form of late.
And, Sam Simmonds may have been overlooked by England recently for reasons only known to Eddie Jones but he’s been playing phenomenal rugby for a long time now and his inclusion was a no brainer for me.
The squad that is picked is never the one that actually gets on the plane and, with seven weeks to go until the first game against Japan at Murrayfield, it was interesting to see how different players responded to being left out.
The reasons for Joe Marler’s omission could be various and his social media response, as well as the fact he’s been speaking about not getting an email and regrets about the 2017 tour, suggest he isn’t expecting a call-up in the event of an injury.
Kyle Sinckler, on the other hand, is a player I had pencilled in and his message indicating it’s “not a time to feel sorry for myself and blame others. Let’s get behind the squad” has the ring of a man who knows he’s one injury away from playing for the Lions again.
It’s a really exciting squad and one that we should all be able to get behind but one of the most interesting aspects of it is that I don’t think there are as many nailed on Test starters in there as there have been on previous tours.
Stuart Hogg, Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw are in that bracket and the captain Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje and arguably Conor Murray are too but that’s six at the very most.
The debate around the make-up of the squad was ended yesterday and the outcome is a balanced selection with a number of players capable of playing in a couple of positions. Now let the debate about who starts in the Test XV commence.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“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
4 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.
9 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 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)
4 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?
5 Go to comments