Welsh trio can put pressure on Conor
The Rugby Paper|May 24, 2020
NICK CAIN LOOKS AT THE CONTENDERS FOR EACH POSITION - THIS WEEK... SCRUM HALVES
NICK CAIN
Welsh trio can put pressure on Conor

IF the 2021 Lions are to win in South Africa, having at least a couple of outstanding scrum-halves is a pre-requisite – and it is one of the few areas in which Warren Gatland may have concerns.

It is not that Gatland is short of pedigree No.9s, because Conor Murray’s record as the Lions starting scrum-half in all three Tests against New Zealand, as well as twice off the bench in Australia in 2013, is unimpeachable.

However, the Irishman will be 33 by the time of the tour, and his form this season has not hit the heights it has in the past. If Murray remains fit the Lions head coach knows he can rise to the occasion, but there have been recent signs that the wear-and-tear has taken a toll.

Set against that, Gatland backed Mike Phillips to last the course in Australia in 2013, even though he was not the force he was in South Africa in 2009 – and the tall Welsh nine held up his end of the bargain in a successful series.

Gatland will prize Murray’s winning Test credentials, but he is not sentimental – and, although at his best the Munster veteran has no peers as a tactical kicker from the base, he will want clear signs next season that he is back at the top of his game.

This is because the Lions will face a Springbok side with three scrum-half dynamos headed by 2019 World Cup winner Faf de Klerk (28), and completed by try-king Cobus Reinach (30) and the livewire Herschel Jantjies (24).

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 24, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin May 24, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
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 dak  |
November 03, 2024