Wasps - Evolution not revolution

The 2017 Premiership Rugby Final between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs will go down in history as one of the most spell-binding and dramatic that we've seen. However, that will console the losing side little and for those that weren't thrown straight into international or British & Irish Lions action the hurt following that loss will have taken a number of weeks to settle. 

“Obviously we’d like to go one better, we were pretty proud of finishing top at the end of the season (although you don’t get anything for that). But, you can’t help but feel hugely disappointed and frustrated that we didn’t quite get our hands on it.”

(C) Paler Images

In the 2017-18 Premiership season that disappointment and frustration must drive Wasps to go one better. They are a fiercely ambitious club and the fact that their last Premiership title was back in 2008 won’t sit well now. Of course there have been very valid reasons regarding the challenges that they faced off the field financially to contextualise the prior period without domestic silverware. However, now that Derek Richardson has the club thriving off the field the squad and management will know that their time is now on it. 

Last season not all of Wasps’ knockout rugby experiences were positive - Leinster away at the AVIVA Stadium in Europe - highlighted a fragility however their account of themselves at Twickenham Stadium come May showed how the squad had learned their lessons quickly.  When sides pick up lessons at the first time of asking then it’s a hugely positive and when the disappointment settled that will have pleased their DOR greatly. 

“What we did last year probably won’t be good enough so we have to improve.”

Dai Young’s comment above could have been said by any Director of Rugby, coach or player in the Aviva Premiership because as always the competition and individuals are moving forward at a rate of knots. The Coventry based side are settled in terms of their squad, and rightly so too, as they are quite early still when it comes to their time together as a a group of players. This season should be about tweaking and nailing certain elements as opposed to changing anything too drastically. Specifically for Wasps it’s about pulling their set piece and defensive output up to the lofty heights of their attack because if they do European and Premiership finals will be eminently achievable. The statistics show you exactly what needs to be done, last season Wasps conceded 61 tries in 22 rounds, comparatively Saracens conceded just 28, so tightening up that area even just a touch should see them take clear steps forward. However their DOR is clear that steps forward in these areas won't be taken at the expense of what makes them unique already. 

“We pretty much broke most of the records last year in attack but teams have had another year now to have a look at us and they will try and put pressure on us in that department. So we have to maintain where we stand in attack and we have to improve our set piece and our defence really which will give us another edge. That doesn’t mean that we’re going to flip everything on its head, we’re going going to become a set piece orientated team or a defence team overnight.”

So, the long and the short of it is that I believe that evolution and not revolution will be the name of the game for Wasps. Of course injuries are always a concern with any squad though and losing Tommy Taylor for a good chunk of the early season is a blow alongside missing others in the first weeks - the likes of Sam Jones, Kyle Eastmond, James Haskell and Thomas Young. However last season they showed that their squad has great strength in depth and it will be time to do the same from the word go. Without question Dai Young and Wasps will have their sights on honours of the highest domestic order come May 2018 and I for one am excited to see where they can take their game this season. 

Opening Six Premiership Matches: Sale Sharks (H), Worcester Warriors (A), Harlequins (H), Exeter Chiefs (A), Bath Rugby (H) and Saracens (A). 

Champions Cup Group: Pool 1 Wasps, La Rochelle, Ulster Rugby and Harlequins

Key Player: Jimmy Gopperth. No surprises here that I’m highlighting the Premiership Player of the Season, while boosting defence will be a focus this man is vital to ignite the talent housed in their back line while showing off his impressive skills. 

Exeter Chiefs - Expectations, emotions & more

‘What I have to make sure doesn’t happen is that it’s the end of a journey.’

One sentence from Rob Baxter summarises Exeter Chiefs’ challenge in the 2017-18 season… building on from that Premiership victory and not letting it overwhelm them or deliver a season akin to the ‘dreaded second album’ from singers. 

At the Aviva Premiership launch yesterday I spent time speaking with their Director of Rugby about a whole host of areas including their recruitment, how they are going to ensure that this time around they start strongly and how European rugby fits into their thinking and planning. Arriving into a new season as the champions isn’t easy however the man driving them forwards is hugely impressive and they're being led into battle with their eyes open and focused firmly on what matters. 

‘The chequebook has been quiet’ was Rob's answer when questioned about his recruitment and as we all know with Exeter Chiefs that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While others often chop and change bringing in oodles of new faces, the Chiefs’ consistency of personnel has become a key character trait. A player only arrives there if there’s a true need for them, a position vacant if you like, they don’t just arrive to boost numbers. Of the six new recruits Nic White and Matt Kvesic made the most headlines on their respective announcement days and without question will add greatly to the Aviva Premiership as will the likes of Sam Underhill, Francis Saili and Toby Flood. However the area that is actually making the man at the helm of the Chiefs stand up and take note is ‘how many good squads of players have stayed in tact and stayed together’.   

It's a sharp observation because if you look at the top sides - Exeter, Wasps and Saracens - as three examples then they all have their nucleus in tact and are set to build again. That core squad of players developing together is something that other teams like Sale Sharks are trying to build for the coming years whereas the top sides have it already. As a result Rob articulated his challenge as being ‘not trying to match other people’s recruitment’ instead their challenge is ‘developing as a group as much as other teams do with time together’. It makes sense doesn’t it? Because if you’re starting as the title holders and you develop more than everyone else then you’ll be putting yourselves into a strong position to contest come May 2018.

It’s the development of individuals, focus on personal standards and attention to performance as opposed to outcome that have been the key parts of their pre-season. The awareness is there that this time last year their start was a slow one and pinpointing reasons the for that, alonsgide developing the mindset around what it means to be a Premiership champion on a day to day level has been important. 

‘What we’ve talked to the players about is looking at the positives and being champions means that I need to show the qualities of a champion and I need to show them today. The champion club of England should turn up and train and perform in a certain way today at training. That’s how we’ve focused things, so rather than looking at when a final might come or what might come in the future we’ve talked about what does it look like today.’

It’s a simple focus, it’s not rocket science yet articulating this loud and clear to the squad and overlaying a steady emotional state on top of this - not celebrating the wins too vigorously and not thinking that losses are the end of the world - will be the basis for Exeter Chiefs this season. It’s sensible, it’s measured and it’s right. 

Hearing from Rob Baxter and speaking to him for a number of seasons now it’s absolutely no surprise that a side that he has nurtured has become Aviva Premiership champions so soon after their arrival in the competition. We always talk about the Devonian outfit being much greater than the sum of their parts and I guarantee that a lot of that is driven by players’ will to succeed for their Director of Rugby as well as for each other. His ability to motivate them, his clear vision of the game and detailed knowledge of the club and the journey that they’re on is inspiring in itself and a further example of that came when we discussed European rugby. 

The Champions Cup wasn’t the happiest of hunting grounds for the Chiefs last season. While they were flying high in the Premiership they finished third in Pool 5 with two wins and four losses. CEO Tony Rowe highlighted Europe as the next stop on the road on the turf at Twickenham about 30 seconds after winning the Premiership title and it's a natural progression for an ambitious club. For Rob Baxter the road to becoming a threatening team in Europe is about showing ‘maturity’ and handling the expectation that the top club competition in the Northern Hemisphere puts on you. He wants to see the same Exeter side that fly in the Premiership to arrive at Sandy Park during a European week and here he's talking about getting the emotional levels right. What he doesn't want to see is one that treats things differently because ‘it’s Europe’ and is the ‘closest thing to international rugby’. Listen to his full thoughts on the Champions Cup below because if you've watched his side in Europe closely you'll nod your head in agreement to it all. 

So this season Exeter start at Kingsholm and the expectation is that you’ll see 23 Chiefs players putting it all out there and showing us through their personal performances what it means to be an Aviva Premiership title holder. Rob made it clear that season will not be defined by that game and that Round 1 outcome and that's not shirking responsibly instead it’s re-emphasing their focus on performance and paying respect to their opponents. Gloucester have their own motivations and Kingsholm on a Friday night isn’t an easy hunting ground, just ask Leicester Tigers after their Round 1 trip last season. However I personally expect to see them make a statement and mark their return as the holders in style. 

Ahead of the 2017-18 season the focus for the Chiefs is clear, their victory at Twickenham Stadium must be built on and must not be a ‘full stop’ in their development. There’s a large emphasis on emotionally managing the expectations that they’re placing on themselves and that are being placed on them from outside. It’s about a capable and stable squad developing as a whole in the Premiership, and in Europe, and doing so under the watchful eye of one of the most astute rugby brains out there. Exeter Chiefs are in good hands and we’ll all be intrigued to see their journey over the next nine months and beyond.

2017 Premiership Rugby Singha 7s

Pool A: Wasps, Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers

Pool B: Harlequins, Gloucester Rugby and London Irish

Pool C: Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors and Bath Rugby

Pool D: Exeter Chiefs, Northampton Saints and Saracens 

The opening match on day one - Friday 28th July - will see Wasps take on Newcastle Falcons and Rio 2016 silver medalist Marcus Watson face his former club. Eleven matches later the first day culminates when the hosts Northampton Saints will meet fierce rivals Saracens.

This season the Singha 7s format will take on the style that has become well-known in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and that was used in the aforementioned 2016 Olympics.

All 12 teams will compete across the two days with a round-robin on day one before it splits into Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions on the second day.

As ever some teams are using this Singha 7s competition to develop and look at new talent while others have decided that fielding more experienced individuals is the way to go. 

Below are day one's fixtures, all 12 squads and a spot of team information about each so that you’re ready to rock and roll come 6pm on Friday evening. 

Click to see the first four day one fixtures

Pool A - Wasps, Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers

Wasps

Wasps are being coached by Lee Blackett with Jimmy Gopperth and Jack Wiggins, the Henley College and Wasps AASE Rugby Academy Manager, assisting him.

The squad is made up of ten members of Wasps' Senior Squad and two Senior Academy players. 

With the likes of Dan Robson, Marcus Watson, Christian Wade and Josh Bassett they’ve pace to burn and there's absolutely no questioning the fact that an unbeaten two days should be their target in order to retain their title in style. 

Squad: Marcus Watson, Brendan Macken, Christian Wade, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Gabriel Oghre, Alex Rieder, Guy Thompson, Owain James, Dan Robson (C), Craig Hampson, Josh Bassett and Guy Armitage

Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers are using the Singha 7s as the first opportunity to showcase their new partnership with Loughborough University. 

The partnership will develop a key link between the students and the club with Tigers' development coach Brett Deacon leading the University team in National One and Boris Stankovich providing scrum coaching expertise.

As part of this new link, a number of Loughborough University players are present in the Tigers’ sevens squad. 

They will be captained by Andrew Boyce, an England international at U16, U18 and U20 level. The squad includes England sevens international Tom Ffitch, Ireland Wolfhounds 7s international Jack Stapley and Scotland 7s international Alex Glashan, who represented his country at the 2011 Youth Commonwealth Games.

Squad: Harry Nuttall, Andrew Boyce (C), Charlie Dockery, Oli Burgess, Ben Pointon, Alex Glashan, Jack Stapley, Will Kaye, Tom Ffitch, Will Foster, Victor Keunen and Luke Frost

Newcastle Falcons

Cameron Cowell, another England sevens international, will captain the final team in Pool A.

Summer signing Gary Graham is set to make his first Falcons appearance since joining from Jersey, while Max Davies is included after featuring for England during the U20s World Rugby Championship. 

Academy manager and first team skills coach Mark Laycock will once again take charge of the squad, aided by fellow Hartlepool native and former England Sevens international Michael Young.

Squad: Glen Young, Max Davies, Harrison Orr, Gary Graham, Simon Uzokwe, Cameron Cowell (C), Adam Radwan, Ben Stevenson, Charlie Wilson, Brett Connon, George Wacokecoke and Will Muir

Click to see the second round of Friday fixtures

Pool B: Harlequins, Gloucester Rugby and London Irish

Harlequins

Harlequins' squad includes ten members of the full time Harlequins Academy including Dino Lamb and Gabriel Ibitoye who represented England at the U20s World Rugby Championship. 

It’s a young squad that will be captained by Henry Cheeseman and Elite Player Development Group (EPDG) member Jack Musk will be looking to continue his success in sevens after recently helping England secure silver in the Rugby Sevens at the Youth Commonwealth Games.

Squad: John Okafor, Dino Lamb, Jack Musk, Jonas Mikalcius, Henry Cheeseman (C), Calum Waters, Gabriel Ibitoye, Marcus Smith, Niall Saunders, James Lang, Jake Hennessey, Cadan Murley

London Irish

Academy manager Patrick O’Grady will be in charge of London Irish as they return to the competition after a year out. 

If we look back a little bit further than that the Exiles actually won the competition in 2012 beating Gloucester 31-28 in the final after a coming back from 23 points down.

On that day Irish were captained by Alex Gray with Jonathan Joseph wearing emerald and Dan Robson opposite them in cherry and white!

Back to the present day and Rory Brand captains the Exiles and he is one of four former Wellington College pupils named in the squad. 

Squad: Josh Basham, Isaac Curtis-Harris, Jack Cooke, Rory Brand (C), Ollie Hassell-Collins, Jaike Carter, Ben Loader, Samir Kharbouch, Isireli Seva, Dan Barnes, George Simpson, Tom Hanley

Gloucester Rugby

Scrum half Ben Vellacott will lead Gloucester at Franklin’s Gardens with the West Country side choosing to showcase their academy and young talents in the competition.

Sevens experience arrives in the form of Mason Tonks, who represented the club in last year's tournament, and recently ran out for England in the Rugby Europe competition.

The squad will be guided by Head of Academy Richard Whiffin and Academy Coach Alex Guest. 

Squad: Carwyn Penny, Jacob Morris, Tom Seabrook, Charlie Chapman, Harry Randall, Jake Polledri, Aaron Hinkley, Will Safe, Ben Vellacott, Mason Tonks, Ollie Thorley, Tom Hudson

Click to see the final four day one fixtures

Pool C: Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors and Bath Rugby

Sale Sharks' team will be managed by Academy Transition Coach Neil Briggs, and he will be assisted by Academy Coach Warren Spragg and first-team player Johnny Leota.

Nic Dolly captains the 12-man squad and Paolo Odogwu will be looking to press on after breaking the competition record for the most tries scored in a round last year!

The side also features a couple of Sharks Academy players, including 17-year old Connor Doherty who was recently part of the England sevens side which won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Squad: Billy Wara, Curtis Langdon, JT Nabetelevu, Nic Dolly (C), Toby Hodges, Charlie Reed, Connor Doherty, Luke James, Paolo Odogwu, Connor Wilkinson, Arron Reed

Matt Sturgess

Worcester Warriors

Max Stelling will captain Worcester Warriors and is one of four senior Warriors set to take to the field. 

The captain represented England Sevens in last year's HSBC Sevens World Series with Matt Cox, Ben Howard and Huw Taylor adding further experience to their team. 

Squad: Matt Cox, Buster Lawrence (Birmingham Moseley), Huw Taylor, Tom Dodd, Ben Howard, Max Stelling (C), Nick David, Alex Forrester (Hartpury College), George Wootten (University of Bath), Afeafe Haisila Lokotui, Alex Hearle and Will Butler

Bath Rugby

The players that will be running out in blue, black and white includes five University of Bath students and will be captained by Will Homer. 

The mix selected also has guest players from the RAF, the British Army and London Scottish and Jeff Williams, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, will coach the side. 

Squad: Jack Davies, Jordan Ainslie, Tom Kynge, Will Homer (captain), Will Flinn, Joe Smith, Levi Davis, Robert Belll, Joe Atkinson, Sikeli Rokovunicagi, Rory Wood and Fin Dewar

Pool D: Exeter Chiefs, Northampton Saints and Saracens

Exeter Chiefs

Last season’s defeated sevens finalists Exeter Chiefs will be looking to go one better at Franklin’s Gardens with Ricky Pellow again coaching the side. 

Max Bodilly, Tom Hendrickson and Pete Laverick, all of whom featured 12 months ago, will team up with summer signing Tom O’Flaherty and academy youngsters Joe Snow, Harvey Skinner and Joe Elderkin.

Ricky Pellow’s message to his players is clear ahead of day one:

“We’ve talked this week about keeping things simple, working hard for one another and just getting the basics of our game right. If we can do that, then you stand every chance of winning.”

Squad: Robin Wedlake, Pete Laverick (C), Tom Hendrickson, Sam Morley, Max Bodilly, Sal M’Boge, Tom O’Flaherty,  James McRae, Kieran Kelly, Joe Snow,  Harvey Skinner, Joe Elderkin

Northampton Saints

Tom Stephenson will make a welcome return for the tournament hosts after gaining match fitness playing for Sydney club Randwick over the past few weeks. 

Tom Collins, who joined Stephenson in Australia, is also in the squad, as is Ollie Sleightholme, who was another that helped England win silver in the recent Commonwealth Youth Games.

All 12 players are either currently in, or have graduated from, the Saints Academy system.

Squad: Devante Onojaife, Reece Marshall, James Fish, Fraser Strachan, Fraser Dingwall, Tom Stephenson, Ollie Sleightholme, George Furbank, Alex Mitchell, Tom Emery, Jamie Elliott, Tom Collins

Saracens

Tom Whiteley will skipper a Saracens team that includes five current academy players and three academy graduates.

Hooker Scott Spurling and centre Tom Griffiths join Whiteley to make up the senior squad trio with a couple of England U20 representatives also featuring. 

Academy Manager Mike Hynard will lead the group and he’s very much looking forward to the two days at Franklin’s Gardens:

“I think it’s exciting for the fans to cast their eye over the latest academy recruits who have just come into the club, and personally, it’s exciting for me as Academy Manager to see how these guys go in a tournament environment.”

Squad: Andy Christie Scott Spurling. Tom Griffiths, Will Wilson*, Matt Gallagher, Rueben-Bird Tulloch, Alex Gliksten, Tom Whiteley ©, Mike MacDonald*, Rotimi Segun, Jermaine Olasan*, Josh Christie*

*Guest Player

British & Irish Lions - A Unique Denouement

A draw… Now let’s be honest no-one ever really enjoys a draw do they? Players’ fierce competitive mindsets drive them daily to be the best and honours even just doesn't sit well with them. On top of that when there’s something as large as a Test series on the line all of us watching on would also quite like there to be a definitive answer either way!

Of course there are some matches when you feel like neither side deserves to lose, May’s Premiership final was a good example of that and argubly this third Test could also sit in that category. However let’s go back to the critical point here, something more than just one game was on the line - a Test series - and it will remain unresolved in the history books. In the future extra time simply has to be employed on occasions like these because leaving players with the hollow feeling of unfinished business just isn’t fair on them and doesn’t stack up with every other major competition and final in professional rugby. Without question the players' lingering feelings of ‘what if’ from this incomplete series will take a while to settle but when they do I personally hope that the emotions pride and satisfaction are also felt by the 2017 Lions tourists. 

Why when it was 'only' a draw? Well this was the tour that was deemed to be impossible by so many and the individuals in New Zealand actually proved it to be possible. The road wasn’t always smooth, not every decision was universally agreed with but when it came down to it the Test team delivered, with the support of the full squad, and Tests of epic proportions were witnessed by all watching around the world. 

Thought @JonFoxDavies was outstanding today. Clever kicking & massive defense. #LionNZ2017

— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 8, 2017

On every tour there are players that standout, players that turn heads and grow feet taller before your very eyes and this time around the players’ player of the series Jonathan Davies was one of them. The Welsh centre went about his business without fuss or flamboyance but played with outstanding consistency and conviction in all three Tests. Ahead of the final one he’d made more metres, clean breaks and offloads than any other Lion and in that final game was everywhere. The hit that he made on Jordie Barrett epitomised this, I’m sure you know the one that I mean, it resulted in Sam Warburton gaining a turnover and it epitomised fully the centre's work rate and influence. Ahead of the tour the 13 jersey wasn’t one that was nailed on yet the Welshman showed his experience and class in spades out in New Zealand.

When u grow up into a professional sportsman, I want to be just like @maroitoje ... UNREAL #LionsNZ2017

— Greg Rutherford (@GregJRutherford) July 8, 2017

Then there’s Maro Itoje, the man who had the honour of looking after mascot BIL for the entire tour because he was the youngest member of the touring party. Yes, it’s pretty easy to forget that isn’t it!? The Saracen wasn’t born the last time that New Zealand lost at Eden Park and yet he’s so composed and experienced beyond his years. Of course his game is not perfect but he’s only 22 and the fact that the New Zealand Hearld made a point of awarding a 4/10 means that they all know just how brilliant he is too! You make waves in New Zealand when you’re a threat and the lock is just that!

Sam Warburton critics looking daft at the moment. Guy has been immense over the last fortnight. World class #LionsNZ2017

— Steffan Thomas (@Steffan_Thomas1) 8 July 2017

Of course there are others who demand attention too; Owen Farrell’s composure off the kicking tee, Sean O’Brien’s instant bounce back to match sharpness, Alun Wyn Jones’ 'unseen' influence, Taulupe Faleteau’s drive and Sam Warburton's leadership all must be noted. Alongside this is defensive work of Andy Farrell and those that aren't ever mentioned as much – the back room team of physiotherapists and S&C staff - must also be hailed. It's not just the best of the best on the field that tour, it's the best of the best there too and being able to field an unchanged XV and bench between the second and third Tests is down to their collective efforts.

Let's be very clear that any question marks regarding the future of these tours are in my mind absurd. Instead what does need to be addressed is scheduling and giving the British & Irish Lions its rightful position in the calendar.

In due course the Kiwi head coach will feedback in order to try and influence a change in the schedule and domestic establishments must co-operate fully. A resolution has to be reached and South Africa 2021 has to be different. The touring party have to be given a fair build-up for the good of the game and to be fair to the players that are selected. To be selected to represent the British & Irish Lions remains the greatest honour that can be bestowed on a home nations’ and it’s just criminal if those selected are not given the opportunity to fully take that chance with a sufficient preparation time.

Right now it’s time for the players and management to head on well-deserved holidays and perhaps for some of us also to take a little time out while the rugby season has its annual July lull. What a season it’s been and what a way to end a British & Irish Lions tour. Forevermore this tour will remain undecided and in limbo and in 12 years’ time the great rivalry will be rekindled with just a little bit more spark than normal given the unique denouement to the 2017 series.

British & Irish Lions - Character, belief and more

Ahead of Saturday’s match, true predictions that the British & Irish Lions were going to level the series and force a decider were few and far between. While many proclaimed to ‘hope’ that the Lions were going to force the final showdown, certain ‘I’ll put my mortgage on it’ calls weren’t being widely made. Why? Well due to New Zealand’s record at home, the fact that All Blacks were heading into the game boosted by the confidence that comes with a first Test victory and the external uncertainty surrounding key Lions' selections. 

A new mid-field partnership of Owen Farrell and Jonathan Sexton had huge potential on paper but the question flying was did Ben Te'o still deserve to provide the presence that he did for the first Test? And, if he didn't then could this new partnership deliver in the face of the world leaders? Clearly only those inside the camp knew the answers to those questions and more. On Saturday morning we not only saw the partnership in action but we saw the resilience of the British & Irish Lions and the fervent support of the entire establishment.    

This is how it feels to level up a #NZLvBIL series...#LionsNZ2017 #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/Ft50JbmD98

— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) 1 July 2017

Let's be very clear, the Lions didn’t play a perfect 80 minutes, they didn't fully capitalise on the man advantage that they were afforded and their discipline was poor. However as a collective they navigated their way through all of that to get themselves into the right position at the right time. In the face of losing a Test series they pulled what was required out of the bag and Farrell showed - not for the first time - nerves of steel. That all took great heart and character because pressure of that magnitude isn’t felt every day of the week. 

"That’s only half the job done. I’ll be happy when we take the Test series home.” 

Immediately after the full-time whistle those were the words of Sam Warburton on the pitch with Sky Sports’ Graham Simmons. As much as the Sky reporter tried to get the Lions captain to effuse about what the team had just achieved the tour captain was having none of it. The steel and determination that he articulated was genuine and replicates the belief of every single member of the touring party. They don’t care one jot about the record at Eden Park nor do they care about others believing that taking this series remains impossible because their only victory so far came from ‘sneaking past 14 men’. Instead this 2017 touring party are clear that nothing but a win next Saturday and a series victory will suffice. 

That's not great on review. Lucky for MV because if Jérôme Garcès had heard the TMO it could have been a different colour card. #LionsNZ2017

— Emma Thurston (@EmmaThurston23) 1 July 2017

Discipline, or lack of it, remains problem number one in my eyes and by hook or by crook it must be fixed for Eden Park. There must be clear conversations with individuals whose emotions boiled over too far in Wellington and as a collective the Lions must ensure that they channel their sentiments and desire in the right manner. This week and final Test will be as much about the top two inches and the psychological side of the game as it will be physical. If you're Warren Gatland then decisions about players' emotional intelligence have to be part of the selection process. We all know  that he's not afraid to make the big calls in the face of a third Test. The strength of the leadership will be tested and the power of the unity of the squad must be harnessed. 

Martin Johnson said a month or so ago that a Lions tour ‘can find you out’ and that it can find 'you out as a person and as a player'. In the face of the world leaders, a group that hate to lose and that history shows will deliver a back lash the Lions must grow as individuals and as a group. What's in front of this touring party is an opportunity to create rugby history. It's that simple. They have the momentum of a Test victory behind them and the ardent support of the thousands of fans that will descend on Auckland this week. The bulk of their physical training is done and from here on it’s about the selection decisions that will be made and those indivuduals delivering in a cauldron of pressure at Eden Park. 

For now the Lions must celebrate and enjoy their moment because despite the flaws in their performance they just levelled the series with the world leaders and have given themselves the chance to go again. 

Tomorrow's newspapers in New Zealand will greet them with countless headlines belittling their achievement in Wellington. From what I’ve read already Maro Itoje apparently received just four in one paper’s ratings and none are expected to be generous in their treatment of the touring party overall. 

Now, more than ever, it’s time for the British & Irish Lions to close ranks as a group, wholeheartedly believe in themselves and attack this final week of their season and the tour with absolutely everything they have got, and then add just a little bit more. 

British & Irish Lions - Talking Geography

Looking over social media during the Hurricanes game a new term emerged before my eyes ‘geography six’. Now if this had arrived before then and somehow I had missed it then I do apologise for my tardiness. However regardless of the timing of the arrival, you know that something has caused a good deal of commotion if it’s give a nickname. Normally the word ‘gate’ springs on the end - either in jest or for a more serious reason - however in this case the name was more literal. 

When Warren Gatland called up six new members into the British & Irish Lions squad I made no secret of the fact that it didn’t sit well with me. My viewpoint at the time when the call-ups were made, and that remains, is that the British & Irish Lions is the pinnacle of a rugby players’ career. The best of the best are selected to represent them and over the years there have been many excellent internationals that haven’t had the honour of wearing the red jersey. Yet here we were in a situation where some individuals that weren’t in the original conversion for selection were called into the squad. While others, that narrowly missed out remained with national sides in various other parts of the world. 

Naming names at this point in time isn’t going to benefit anyone here however we are all well enough informed to understand the particulars of the situation that arrived. The perspective that I held on this remains, even with the prospective of limited game time those unlucky to miss out on selection should have been called in first. Yes, jet lag is a real part of flying across the world but surely other national coaches would have been more than happy to release players earlier to negate that factor. Summarising my opinion on that area, as I did at the time on social media, I believe that geography shouldn’t have ever been a factor in the decision making process to be called up into the British & Irish Lions squad. 

Following Tuesday’s mid-week game against the Hurricanes a new point arose - not just the name ‘geography six’ - it was the fact that they remained on the bench watching on despite the team on the park looking to be flagging energy wise. Stuart Farmer - the official statistician for the Six Nations, British & Irish Lions, Premiership, PRO12, ESPN Scrum and Leicester Tigers - highlighted that the last time that a front row trio were on the park for a full match was last November between USA and Tonga and since it’s happened just twice in the Japanese Top League! 

The post-match rationale was that the controversy surrounding the call-ups  had made the head coach decide to ‘try and get through the game with as many of the starting XV as we could’. Now following my earlier point about the selections you’d think that I’d be in agreement with this. However as the head coach had already made the earlier decision surely it was a double blow on the Lions to not put fresh legs on the field in order to win that mid-week game? Clearly my own first choice would have been to call-up the front runners amongst those that weren’t originally selected and to have unleashed them. But, when that wasn’t done then having players bench-warming wasn’t all that great for them or for the Lions squad as a whole when a statement-making victory may have provided a greater boost leading into the crucial second Test.  

Ultimately the Lions head coach has always made it clear that the Tests are what counts, they are the be all and end all and everything is done with them in mind.  However this part of the tour- the additional call-ups and everything surrounding them - just didn’t sit comfortably with me. Of course I’ve no idea how it was received inside the camp and ultimately it’s the opinions of the six individuals that matters most. 

The long and the short of this is that I don’t think that I’ll ever fully get my head around it without having been in New Zealand and been much closer to the camp. Instead it’s time to park this and move all of our focus to the second Test. There’s a series to level and plenty to discuss following the two squad announcements and the back drop that the opening Test has provided.