The British and Irish amalgam were a mess until 1971 but then the philosopher coach, Carwyn James, led them to an improbable series win over New ZealandIt was the year, said the New Zealand captain, Colin Meads, when the Lions stopped believing in fairytales. He was speaking after the drawn final fourth Test at the end of a series his side had lost 2-1 and his words resonated with his opposite number, Willie John McBride, who had had to be persuaded to put his name up for selection after three trips, nine Tests and no victories. “On previous tours we hoped we would win,” said the Irishman. “This time we believed.” Related: Warren Gatland fears Lions will lose up to...
Vunipola’s injury has left a big hole in Gatland’s plans but, as bruised squad members assemble in Ireland, an opportunity beckons for those still standingThe mood at the British and Irish Lions stately training base in Maynooth, County Kildare was neatly reflected by the two dozen swans on the lake beside the endless winding drive leading up to Carton House. Serene on the surface but paddling frantically underneath to keep up will be the Lions default setting for the next few weeks, particularly in the wake of the gloomy news about Billy Vunipola’s tour-ending shoulder injury.No man, as we all know, is bigger than his team, particularly when he has not yet worn the jersey. But Billy V? Not the...
Exeter still on the up, Wasps feel the noise, Scarlets in nod to Super Rugby and Leigh Halfpenny provides good news for Lions and Richard CockerillThe Premiership semi-final victory over Saracens was another coaching triumph for Rob Baxter and his management team at Sandy Park. It was not so much revenge for last year’s defeat in the final at Twickenham as confirmation that the Chiefs have improved since then, learning from each new experience in their remarkable rise this decade. Saracens have become the most proficient team in Europe at attacking from set pieces, able to create space out wide and score tries, a quality that helped them defeat Munster and Clermont Auvergne in the latter stages of the European...
With club commitments hindering training and preparation, questions must be asked of those responsible for a schedule not fit for the professional eraThere was barely a pack of Lions at Wales’s training base west of Cardiff on Monday with 27 of the 41 players selected absent on club duty. There was some value in the week with the local weather in May tending to be as wet as a New Zealand winter, and it duly poured down.Every Lions tour seems to be more hyped than the previous one and this year is no exception. One of the players making his first tour, Kyle Sinckler, remarked he was still coming to terms with the attention, public and media, yet despite that...
Barry John, Willie John McBride and co soaked up everything New Zealand had to offer, laughed in the face of chilling adversity and lived to tell the victory talesThe British & Irish Lions touring party have not yet left Heathrow but they are already receiving plenty of sage advice. The New Zealand coach, Steve Hansen, has even warned this week about the pressure set to be generated next month by the “massive expectation” of the Lions’ supporters. Eh? It is akin to the Big Bad Wolf advising Little Red Riding Hood to beware the slightly loose paving stone up the garden path. Related: Warren Gatland uses Messy Monday to prepare Lions for New Zealand challenge | Robert Kitson Related: Forty...