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.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 12, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 12, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
