Gatland appointed Lions Manager

[Tony Manx]

[h=2]Rugbyrama reports....................

Andy Irvine, the Scottish coach of the future British Lions tour in 2013, expressed his reservation regarding the selection of players playing in Top 14.[/h]Specifically targeted: Mike Phillips , James Hook , Lee Byrne , Gethin Jenkins , Jonny Wilkinson and Armitage brothers.

The first game of the Lions tour against Hong Kong Barbarians is scheduled for June 1, 2013, on the day of the Top 14 Final 2012/13

 

[Feicarsinn]

Head Coach I presume? Probably a translation thing. I'd be happy with Hook, Jenkins and possibly Philips. The rest can shove off.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is it saying those players are unavailable, or that he wants them, or what?
None are irreplaceable, and to be fair the only ones I'd pick would be Jenkins and Steffon Armitage (but then you've got the likes of Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric knocking around who aren't exactly poor 7s...)

 

[Draggs]

********, Howley 2012/13.
Hook would be a good player off the bench. Had they tried this in 2009 we would have won the series. Byrne is awful, every home nations fullback is better.
Delon, no; Steffon, sure, best English openside by a mile. Phillips depends on his form and the style of rugby we want to play. He was excellent in 2009.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Philips will 100% travel. As is, there's a lack of serious talent at 9 in the home nations. Only Hook, Reddan, Care, Blair and possibly Rhys Webb should really be considered. Gatland knows Hook is up to it, so he'll probably start.

 

[big ginger 8]

Inevitable think it'll be more interesting to see the backroom staff I think. Conflicted over wheter or not I'd be happy with the Welsh staff.

 

[Draggs]

Rhys Webb is poor. Reports from the Bath match seemed to point the finger at his awful service.
I prefer Lloyd Williams but I feel he needs more time for the Blues. The one to watch is Tom Habberfield at the Ospreys. If Webb is called up for November (assuming Kahn is with Samoa) then he is the first choice scrum half. Jonathan Evans is another, if he can stay fit and somebody locks Joe Bedford and Wayne Evans in the locker room. I can't comment on non-Welsh scrumhalves as they don't exist.

 

[Feicarsinn]

What's international opinion of Eoin Reddan? Personally I think he should be a certain tourer (along with Care and Philips). He's an excellent distributor and can increase the pace of the game if brought on in the last 20.

 

[j'nuh]

Who actually wants Gatland as coach? Wales fans surely want him coaching Wales, and the rest would probably prefer a coach which is more impartial.

 

[welshglory]

I don't want Gatland as Lions coach. As you say j'nuh i want him with Wales and i'd prefer a British or Irish coach if anything.

 

[Draggs]

Let's bring McGeechan back . Worked well the last time.

 

[Tony Manx]

Let's bring McGeechan back . Worked well the last time.

What with Bath? Don't think so.................If not Gatland, and I know that Draggs is being ironic, then who is there..................Kidney? Now that would be a laugh!!!!

 

[Draggs]

What with Bath? Don't think so.................If not Gatland, and I know that Draggs is being ironic, then who is there..................Kidney? Now that would be a laugh!!!!

Yes, there really are no other options.
Brian Ashton? Scott Johnson?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I can see the headlines now:
"Eddie O'Sullivan linked with Lions job".

 

[big ginger 8]

Kidney would be brilliant as Lions Coach for one thing it would mean he wasn't coaching Ireland...

However for all the criticism he has received often from myself and deservedly so I actually believe it's the sort of environment he'd thrive in.

Anyway I haven't been the biggest fan of McGeechan since I read his autobiography (though of course there's no disputing his success rate with the Lions) there was no great contenders for it IMO. As I said the backroom staff will be interesting.

 

[Draggs]

I can see the headlines now:
"Eddie O'Sullivan linked with Lions job".

I honestly was about to type his name in, but I couldn't do it.
You are a better man than I.

 

[Groundhog]

Kidney would be brilliant as Lions Coach for one thing it would mean he wasn't coaching Ireland...

However for all the criticism he has received often from myself and deservedly so I actually believe it's the sort of environment he'd thrive in.

Anyway I haven't been the biggest fan of McGeechan since I read his autobiography (though of course there's no disputing his success rate with the Lions) there was no great contenders for it IMO. As I said the backroom staff will be interesting.

Kidney comes across as a decent short term coach but can't maintain a squad over time. His biggest problem is that he can't develop players or bring them through the ranks which wouldn't be a problem with The Lions. Obviously his selection skills are questionable though......

 

[welshglory]

Hmmm... interesting latest reports are that Gatland is considering Joe Schmidt as an attack coach as well as Howley. My question is why Howley? The man is a useless attack coach.

 

[lynam1104]

Schmidt as an attack coach would be tremendous as long as he doesn't miss any Leinster coaching.

 

[Tony Manx]

Schmidt as an attack coach would be tremendous as long as he doesn't miss any Leinster coaching.

Even better choice if he did miss Leinster coaching.......maybe then the French and English Unions would withdraw their threats re the H Cup!!!