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?
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 19, 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 July 19, 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.
