Lions coach Warren Gatland wary of picking too many Englishmen

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Lions head coach Warren Gatland

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland believes selecting too many English players for this summer's tour of Australia could put additional pressure on the squad.

England's position at the top of the Six Nations table suggests they will be well represented down under.

But Gatland fears a large English contingent could create extra baggage.

"[There are] other pressures that come with selecting a lot of English players," said New Zealander Gatland.

"At the moment England are playing well. They did well in the autumn, particularly the outstanding victory against the All Blacks.

"And, if they do well in the Six Nations, there will be a reasonable contingent of English players.

"[But] it becomes a much greater media focus from the English papers and potentially a negative focus from the Australian papers. And English players are targeted by other countries.

"They are not always the most popular with other countries because of the history. People like having a pop at them.

"We all know what happened with England at the World Cup and the circus that was created."

Gatland, who was speaking to the London Evening Standard,external-link was referring to England's doomed campaign in New Zealand, which was dogged by off-field controversy.

He later clarified his comments, telling the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I am extremely disappointed that anybody should try to misinterpret what I said and try to say that will count against English players.

"The last thing I would ever do is limit the number of English players."

Rugby Football Union chairman Bill Beaumont said English players have always represented the Lions with "enormous pride".

"I was lucky enough to be captain in 1980, Martin Johnson skippered the team to the famous 1997 series win, as well as leading the side for a historic second time, when going down to Australia," said former England captain Beaumont, who won 34 caps for his country between 1975 and 1982 and earned seven caps for the Lions.

"Wearing the Lions shirt, whether captain or player, is something that all English players take very seriously.

"This will undoubtedly continue for those that get picked this time.

"It is well documented the strong culture and sense of responsibility on and off the pitch that this England team possesses.

"Those fortunate enough to get picked will of course take those attributes Down Under."

BBC rugby union commentator Brian Moore, who won five Lions caps on two tours, said on Twitter:external-link "Gatland comments bizarre & largely unfounded. [Australian] press will be anti Lions whatever squad make-up. Person not nation determines a good Lion."

Meanwhile, Gatland, who is taking a break from his regular job as Wales head coach to lead the tour to Australia, praised England fly-half Owen Farrell.

Farrell has propelled himself into Lions reckoning with assured performances against Scotland and Ireland and is now Irishman Jonathan Sexton's closest rival to start at 10 against the Wallabies.

"I've been impressed with his resolve, particularly in the last two games when he's played exceptionally well," said Gatland.

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1046 comments

  • You've got to select on merit, on form, regardless of nationality. End of.

  • Bit disturbing to see Gatland saying this. Even if he's thinking it, saying it to a paper is stupid.

    If you don't select English players because of the media, or because Aussies like 'having a pop' (as though they wouldn't give 110% against any player anyway!) then you are admitting that the media and/or the opposition are dictating your policies, which is a sign of weakness.

    Nice going, Warren.

  • Take the best players in the best form, regardless of what country they are from.
    Simple

  • Very sad to read this. We, the British & Irish Lions supporters, would expect that the team will be picked on their relative merits, irrespective of which country they play for. Does Mr Gatland understand the concept of the British & Irish Lions? Did he read his job description throughly?

  • Absolute nonsense!! The British and Irish Lions is about all about a uniting the 4 nations! These comments will only serve to cause friction & tends to suggest Gatland Will prefer to pick players he has worked with in the past I.e the 'out of form' Welsh!! Is it to late to change coach & bring someone in who understands the lions ethos and picks players on merit...regardless of nationality!!!

  • What absolutely idiotic statements to make. And I'm Welsh. I'm not sure what kind of reaction he is trying to get by making such comments

  • As an ardent Welshman I have to say after 2 weeks of the 6N, in the touring party as a whole I would only have 5/6 Welshmen, the same no. of Scots a few more Irish and the bulk of the squad would be English. With the right balance WE (The British & Irish Lions) could realistically come away with a series victory.
    All the negative comments and anti Welsh/English/Scots/Irish are ridiculous.

  • The reason Gatland made the statement is following comments like the foolish Andrew Macgregor (comment 17) - again an accusation that the English are arrogant !? How and why if you please ? I suppose this guy is the sort of 'fan' who would rather the Lions lose than an England player getting the winning score - very sad indeed !

  • What a shame all this is. BBC rugby forums are rarely filled with debates on the sport anymore. Rather they are dominated by pseudo-political point scoring and Eng v Celt mud slinging. Sadly it seems to me that as our nations drift further apart politically so the old days of friendly combined sporting camaraderie has also passed. What's the point in the Lions concept if we all hate eachother?

  • Well Gatland has now managed to get himself offside with his English contingent, who will prob be the largest representation. Nice bit of man management, when this skill is the most needed on a Lions tour. Not sure he could have made a more daft comment.......

  • The bloke hasn't got a clue.

    Bring in SIM now.

  • gatland has gone down in my estimation if these remarks are accurate.

    the culture of the players is one that the management creates. if gatland is worried about containing this before it has started, then you have to question his management ability. this culture has gone since lancaster has taken over

    more importantly, if he is not picking the form players, the he is sending a team to lose

  • Before the ranters and ravers carry on about a typical Warren Gatland quote, which has been taken out of context by a lot of the media. He did say that if he felt it was warranted, he would pick fifteen Englishmen to start at Brisbane. Also,where is he spending today? I understand the English training camp.

  • @251 good point, but don't let what gets posted here unduly sway you. I would say the majority of proper rugby fans still have healthy respect for the other 'home' nations. Although as a Scot I am totally ashamed at the constant whistling directed at opposing goal kickers at Murrayfield. Apologies to all

  • Sorry but am I the only one who thinks this is a bit of spin on behalf of the journalist? Gatland has been on a lions tour before and I'm sure understands the culture. I can only guess this was meant as a word of warning to potential lions who misbehaved during the WC. As an Englishman I'd agree about us being disliked, evident by the regurgitated 'Arrogant' comments I see so often.

  • @11. newknees

    Agree 100% - cannot improve your assessment! For my part I've committed to the trip of a lifetime to watch the best British and Irish players face up against Australia - Gatland's comments make a mockery of what the Lions are supposed to represent - if I could cancel my tour and get my money back I would!

  • Look at the commitment the players have shown wearing the test jersey for the Lions. They dont see nationality as a problem, why should the fans? This isnt football, we dont need this victriolic, ill-informed diarrhoea disguised as "banter". I cant wait for the tour and to mix with all the home nations, what is wrong with some of you???

  • If you don't take the best in-form players, you may as well not go.

  • Many many comments here tonight from people who quite obviously haven't read the full interview and once again the BBC making a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to the headline (this smacks of the utterly incompetent David Bond again) - read the interview, it's quite objective and then realise the best squad will be selected

  • My initial rage at this story completely dissipated as the truth and the beautiful irony hit home:

    Gatland makes some comments about the English media circus, resulting in an English media circus, justifying his initial comments. It has a pleasing symmetry about it...

    I despair, I really do. English media: national disgrace

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