The British and Irish Lions will soon be back in action, with a tour of Australia this summer. The Lions bring together the best players playing in English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh clubs, but could this rule change a little? In any case, this is the desire of a well-known figure in the world rugby landscape, who has also played close to the Lions for a long time: Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach, who managed three Lions tours before handing over to Andy Farrell, spoke in the British media The Telegraph, through a column in which he explained that in his opinion, Farrell should think about recruit players who play in the French championships. Indeed, until then, the selection for the Lions follows a bit of the same concept as for the English selection, and turns its back on the British and Irish players who would play across the Channel. And it’s a mistake for him.
Willis, X factor for the Lions?
Gatland cites in particular an example that gets a lot of talk: Jack Willis. The third row extended to Toulouse, therefore giving up a little more on the England team, and which fuels the debate on changing the eligibility rules for players in the XV de la Rose. Courtney Lawes, who left Northampton for Brive is another example, as is Owen Farrell, who joined Racing 92. And this even if the fly-half is the coach’s father.
If Owen is available and wants to be on the tour, he (Andy Farrell) should pick him if he thinks it’s the right fit for the team and not worry about the father-son aspect of it. selection. As a Lions coach, you have to put emotion and relationships aside and make the right decision (…) You know what you have with Owen: experience, leadership, a competitive advantage, a tough player (…) The other two players in France I would consider are Jack Willis and Courtney Lawes. I know Andy has a lot of other options on the third line, but I think Willis has an X-factor.
Courtney was outstanding for us on the 2021 tour of South Africa, establishing himself in the Test squad despite missing half the season due to injury. Less than six months ago he won a Premiership title. Maybe he thinks he’s coming to the end of his career. But with the Lions, we don’t make a choice for the future.
To summarize
The British and Irish Lions will soon be back in action, with a tour of Australia this summer. But for this tour, Andy Farrell was advised by a coach to call on, contrary to what is usual, certain players who are currently playing in France.
