THE shakedown at hooker in 2017 proved that the international pecking order is sometimes only a loose guideline where Lions tour selection is concerned.
A year before the 2017 tour to New Zealand there appeared to be little possibility of Jamie George racing to the front of the field of hookers vying for Test contention.
The England bench No.2 had his path blocked not only by Dylan Hartley, the incumbent Red Rose captain, but also by the experienced Ireland skipper Rory Best – who was to lead Ireland to a landmark first victory over the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago six months before the Lions squad was named.
If those were not obstacles enough, George also had to find a way past Ken Owens, who had been ever-present at hooker for the preceding five years of Warren Gatland’s tenure as Wales coach, before he embarked on a yearlong sabbatical as head coach of the Lions.
However, Gatland had seen enough of George’s outstanding form for 2016 European Cup and English Premiership double winners Saracens to pick him over the injury-hampered Hartley in the tour squad – and then to promote him to the Test team on tour form, ahead of Owens and Best.
Denne historien er fra April 12, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 12, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
