'We're basically hotel-bound, just bussed to training': Life on Jersey with the Lions
The British and Irish Lions have begun receiving their second Covid-19 vaccinations at their training camp in Jersey. A number of players and staff who have not already had both doses visited a medical centre at Fort Regent on Tuesday as part of the ambition to have all members of the touring party fully jabbed by the time they arrive in South Africa.
Another group will be seen next Tuesday with the day in the week chosen in the event of any side effects arising – Wednesdays are designated as rest days for the squad, thereby minimising any interruptions to training. Most of the players were given their initial jabs when they met up for the first time in London last month.
The UK Government has given dispensation to the Lions, as well as Team GB members heading to the Olympics in Japan, to be vaccinated ahead of schedule despite their age profile due to South Africa’s status as a red list destination.
In the wider UK population, only people aged 25 or over are currently eligible for a jab. The Lions have implemented robust Covid countermeasures during their time in Jersey despite the island being subject to lighter restrictions.
A PCR and lateral flow testing programme is in place, face masks are worn alongside social distancing being observed, all bedrooms are single occupancy only and players keep the same seats on bus journeys.
Before this week's camp in Jersey, Gatland first collectively spoke to his 2021 squad at an administration day in London last month#LionsRugby
https://t.co/AD4JY5dKSx— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 15, 2021
“Coming out to Jersey we have got to respect the island. They have done a brilliant job with regard to their Covid protocols and got them absolutely spot on since we have got here,” said Wales hooker Ken Owens said. “We have been going through a short period of isolation and testing to make sure we aren’t a risk to the island.
“We are basically hotel-bound and just bussed up to training and back so we’re pretty restricted at the moment. We’re not allowed to leave the hotel. It’s something we have to accept to protect ourselves and the wider public here. Then it will be exactly the same as we move on up to Edinburgh and on to South Africa.”
For all the restrictions placed on the Lions, Owens believes they could yet play an influential role as players from four different nations look to bond as quickly as possible. “We are lucky in some ways because we are in a bubble and very tight together,” Owens said.
“It’s a lot easier to get those connections and that social side done because you haven’t got people drifting off here there and everywhere. We are not sharing rooms so we do tend to spend a lot more time down in around the team room, as you don’t want to be isolated. So, in some ways, being in a bubble is a bit of a strength and not a weakness because we are forced to spend a lot more time together.”
The Ireland boss has had his say on speculation he will be working in South Africa next month #LionsRugby
https://t.co/uixeQzo6yE— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 15, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
James Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
3 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
1 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour 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!
3 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?
13 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.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 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.
3 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.
13 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.
13 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.
13 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