In contention for the starting 23
I don't think there is an official one, or at least a coach produced one
The official Lions site lists Lawes as a second row but Gatland definitely said he's going as a 6 who will cover lock in an emergency (article posted earlier on this thread)
Beirne is listed as a second row as well but I'd be very surprised if he wasn't going as a 6
Daly listed as a wing but I read somewhere he's going as a centre - I think he'll play 15 before he plays wing as well
thanks.
when you look at the split between positions I think there's no way at least one if Lawes and beirne are going to have time at lock.
Same with Daly at centre.
Classy interview. Feel for the guy but he could still tour.
given gatland said something about Kyle dealing with demons, I think this response may have won him over. Probably next in the plane if there's an injury
@ncurd re Lawes at 6, at least I think gatland made it clear that Lawes is the 37th man, there for the midweeks (not that he explicitly said that). Can't remember exactly what He said, someone posted it in the other thread.
i think what has been suggested by someone in here is probably true - that gatland hasn't picked some fringe test players because he doesn't think someone who is highly emotional about missing out on the test team will be aiding the preparation.
Gatland is definitely all about creating the right environment within the squad, though perhaps it hasn't always worked, and you can imagine that if sinkler was in the squad but didn't get named in the test that, even though he has shown he might ultimately respond well in then end, he'll be mentally unavailable to help prepare the team at least initially. Then there'll be other players who simply won't take it well at all. Remember some of these guys are players who aren't used to missing out, have been first choice for their teams their whole lives.
so if that's the approach, I would expect if there is an injury to one of the test contenders (and I honestly think there aren't that many positions up for grabs based on who he has selected), I would expect someone coming in to replace them could leapfrog players already there.
this approach by gatland, if indeed that is his approach, may increase the chances of winning the test matches, but in the flip side it's a bit unfair on players as they will see selection in the squad as a massive honour irrespective of how disappointed they'll be if they ultimately don't make the test team. It's their legacy at stake, potentially their biggest aspiration as a player.....
hey grandad were you ever in the lions?
No but I was in the top groups of players they just chose lesser players ahead of me for certain reasons, it's complicated.
Whatever grandad.
I f'd your grandmother
