So Vital Gatland Goes For Tried And Tested Coaches
The Rugby Paper|July 19, 2020
The big positive from the announcement of the 2021 Lions itinerary this week is that there is continuity, because it is the same tour schedule in South Africa as it was before the Covid lockdown.
Jeremy Guscott
So Vital Gatland Goes For Tried And Tested Coaches

Continuity could also be a crucial factor when it comes to Warren Gatland selecting his coaching group, because as tour leader he will need to rely on those who are tried and tested. Gatland is on his fourth Lions tour, and his third as head coach, which has been matched only by Ian McGeechan, who led the 1989, 1993 and 1997 tours that I was part of.

What we know for certain is that the Lions are always behind the host nation in terms of preparation, and South Africa 2021 is no different. They have no time to spare to breakin an entirely new group of coaches who have no previous Lions experience.

This is made even more critical because next year’s tour of South Africa is the shortest Lions tour there has been. It means that Gatland needs coaches who understand immediately what it takes to prepare and select a Lions side capable of winning the series, despite having next to no time to work in.

Ideally, that means coaches who have already been there and done it alongside Gatland, like Rob Howley, will be involved again. It gives you a head start, because as attack coach Howley was an integral part of the Lions victory over the Wallabies in 2013, and the drawn series against the All Blacks in 2017 – and also tasted the narrowest of defeats against South Africa in 2009.

The same is true of Graham Rowntree (forwards), and Neil Jenkins (kicking), so if they have that depth of touring experience with the Lions, and are available, why wouldn’t Gatland take them?

Denne historien er fra July 19, 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.

Denne historien er fra July 19, 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.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 03, 2024