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Brian O'Driscoll backs Warren Gatland for 2017 Lions coaching job

Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugbycomments190

Brian O'Driscoll and Warren Gatland
Brian O'Driscoll and Warren Gatland worked together on the 2013 Lions tour

Former British and Irish Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll has backed Wales coach Warren Gatland to lead the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand.

Gatland, 52, controversially dropped the Ireland legend from the decisive Test win against Australia in 2013.

O'Driscoll told the Daily Telegraphexternal-link that Gatland and Ireland boss Joe Schmidt are the best options for 2017.

The 37-year-old added Gatland's style "is probably something that lends itself to the short lead-in time".

The Lions face New Zealand three times in a five-week tour in 2017, with the first Test coming after six build-up games over three weeks.

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British and Irish Lions chief executive John Feehan has said Gatland is the leading contender to take charge again.

The Welsh Rugby Union would again back their national coach, who was assistant to Ian McGeechan for the 2009 tour to South Africa that ended in a 2-1 defeat.

Gatland selected Wales' Jonathan Davies ahead of O'Driscoll to partner Jamie Roberts for the crucial Test in Sydney three years ago.

Former Ireland captain and Lions hooker Keith Wood described the decision as "a terrible mistake".

The Lions won 41-16 without O'Driscoll, but Wood stood by his comments.

O'Driscoll says he would partner Davies with England's Manu Tuilagi were he selecting the team now.

"I will get absolutely lambasted in Wales for not picking Roberts, but I think you have to have Manu in there and I don't think you play him and Jamie together," said O'Driscoll.

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190 comments

  • Comment posted by Rothoik, at 10:40 8 Apr 2016

    The Lions beat the Aussies last time round, there was some great rugby played and it was entertaining. We have a stock of great and exciting players from all the home nations and any of the coaches would do a fine job. We'll be playing the all blacks and may or may not win but it will be fantastic - beer, bacon and rugby at 9:00am nothing to whinge about surely!?

  • Comment posted by nuts, at 11:07 8 Apr 2016

    Garythelibrarian

    That would be the same Sir Clive who made a complete pigs ear of the last Lions tour to NZ with Alaistair Campell as PR guru and countless specialists and too many English players ( I am English).

    The only way to beat NZ is with heads up quick ball rugby, some thing that Gatland won't do.

  • Comment posted by Dragonborn, at 14:16 8 Apr 2016

    Although Welsh, I would like to see someone new take the reigns. Having said that, if it is Gats then (a) he must realise and acknowledge the domination of the English in this Years 6N in selection and (b) he must get England's backs coach involved. (c) Schmidt must also be involved because...well..he's a genius.

  • Comment posted by Jonjo Unchained, at 10:45 8 Apr 2016

    I genuinely believe running South Africa close in the '09 tour was more of an achievement than beating Aus in 2013.

    SA were the best team in the world in '09 and we were on O'Gara moment of stupidity from drawing that series. Australia were a shadow of the side they are now, playing a winger at 10 with no Pocock/Hooper. With the quality available we should have whitewashed them with ease.

  • Comment posted by DonDraper, at 10:39 8 Apr 2016

    Is this the same Gatland who has an awful record against SH teams and whose team couldn't score against 13 players in the World Cup?

  • Comment posted by Rob, at 15:05 8 Apr 2016

    I think most people are missing the point here. What a wonderful man O'Driscoll is - despite that fairly ridiculous and cold hearted decision to leave him out he is still backing the man who did. Classy individual both on and off the pitch.

  • Comment posted by D1679237641984, at 10:12 8 Apr 2016

    Gatland has a great incentive in that he'll want to prove himself a future All Black coach and so he's the obvious coach.

  • Comment posted by User0302385138, at 11:00 8 Apr 2016

    Try this one. How about Stuart Lancaster as the Lions coach?...no wait....firstly he'd probably jump at the chance, he'd run a tight ship and stop the the NZ media monstering Lions players with sexual harassment allegations and the like.

    Crucially...he is the only coach in the NH who has experience actually beating the All Blacks. That presumable counts for nothing!

  • Comment posted by D1679223263033, at 14:54 8 Apr 2016

    There are no English Scots Irish or Welsh on tour only Lions. It is still a great concept.

  • Comment posted by backchatter, at 10:32 8 Apr 2016

    Well, he did it last time, so why not? Hopefully, he won't be biased in favour his Wales team though, as there are plenty of other players in the 6N who should be in the mix and I think a spread of nationalities would add to the tour.

  • Comment posted by Guy Fawkes, at 12:25 8 Apr 2016

    Wonder what Rob Baxter is up to?

  • Comment posted by norm, at 13:49 8 Apr 2016

    I am definitely an optimist but I think the lions will be able to have a good crack at the All Blacks. We have some awesome players coming through in every nation and a good blend could make for an exciting tour!

    I am Welsh, but I do think Gats would still be the best choice. It should be a well earned English majority with the classiest from the other 3 nations imho.

  • Comment posted by User0594744359, at 11:30 8 Apr 2016

    The truth is that the B&I Lions won't beat The AB's playing fast deceptive rugby, NH teams just aren't used to playing that way. The only way is to starve them of ball and then grind them down, sort of how england play.
    BOD's right there.

  • Comment posted by WurzelJ, at 14:06 8 Apr 2016

    The psychological qualities of the players matter as much as the physical. Apart from France and the Springboks, every other nation loses the game against the All Blacks before they take the pitch, because they lose it in their minds. So Gatland (who would be a great choice) has to persuade the team to see the All Blacks as just another team and to believe in their skills, strength and ability.

  • Comment posted by al777, at 15:23 8 Apr 2016

    @119 nel

    That is your opinion just like they had their opinions.

    The fact that the Lions won the 3rd test doesn't mean they were wrong and they have nothing to retract. As I remember, they didn't say 'The Lions will lose without BOD', just that he should have been picked.

  • Comment posted by slamdunc, at 12:37 8 Apr 2016

    A long way to go yet, before 'full' attention is given to The Lions,

    But, Sexton may not make it, as he may have retired or been forced too by then, Itoje if he continues is a certain starter, Warburten needs to regain his form and at FB we are spoilt Halfpenny, Hogg & Brown.

    Nothing like The Lions

  • Comment posted by WurzelJ, at 14:28 8 Apr 2016

    Cut out the xenophobia ! For Rugby fans too many on this thread are behaving like football supporters. To wear a Lions shirt is the supreme dream of every rugby international in Britain and Ireland. I don't care where they come from, as long as they are the best. No selectors or management team should fear being criticised because the majority of the team come from one or two countries.

  • Comment posted by Richou, at 15:11 8 Apr 2016

    Nope, nope and nope.

    Barely won the series last time against a very poor Aussie outfit. In fact, we WOULDN'T have won if not for a slip during the kick by Beale.

    Would much rather have Schmidt or Cotter. They know how to get the best out of what they've got and are more likely to build a team to score tries which is desperately needed against SH opposition.

  • Comment posted by kraken, at 13:39 8 Apr 2016

    First saw the AB in 1953 at St.Helens in Swansea. Never known the AB's to have a bad team. Over the years they have had some great players and captains. Mourie, Fitzpatrick, Meads, Cullen, McCaw, . Not sure it makes any difference who is the coach orvthecplayers they pick . AB's are supposed to,be in transition, but I bet they will beat Wales and the Lions. They are just a different class.

  • Comment posted by Swamp Thing, at 13:31 8 Apr 2016

    Whilst I don't think that Gatland will directly prioritise Welsh players, he will want the team to play his preferred style and he may select players who already know what he wants, bringing in an indirect bias. I think that he will also favour players well suited to "Warrenball" and will be willing to leave out the best players if he doesn't think that they fit his plans.

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