Warren Gatland says he will not favour his Wales players when selecting his British and Irish Lions squad and has backed England’s Dylan Hartley as a possible captain for next summer’s tour to New Zealand. Gatland, who has been reappointed as head coach, is also adamant the Lions can upset the current world champions and win the three-Test series.
As a Kiwi Gatland knows the size of the challenge but, having presided over the successful 2013 tour to Australia, he is refusing to guarantee anything to past squad members. “It’s not my role to have any favourites and we’ll pick who we think are the best players,’ he said. “If that’s 25 Englishmen and two Welshmen, that’ll be the squad.”
Gatland also made clear England’s recent resurgence under Eddie Jones would do Hartley’s prospects of leading the squad no harm. “It is easier to select players who are coming in from a winning environment with a lot of confidence. It’s the same when you are picking captains,” he said. “Dylan has obviously matured and he’s done a great job with England. Eddie rates him incredibly highly and he has a lot of respect from the players as well. He hasn’t been suspended for a while, either, so that’s another big tick against his name. Hopefully he’ll continue in that vein.”
In a break with previous Lions trips Gatland is considering naming stand-in players to join the party late and sit on the midweek bench against the Chiefs before the first Test. He is also planning to take up to 40 players, three more than four years ago. “You want to protect that Test 23. It’s about getting the balance right – how do you keep the squad intimate and small enough that everyone feels special and part of it.”
A bullish Gatland is happy that leading All Black contenders are to be made available to their provinces for the early Lions games, arguing it will improve the touring team’s chances of winning a series in New Zealand for the first time since 1971. “It is absolutely brilliant and we’ll benefit hugely from that. We’re going to be battle-hardened and ready before the first Test. Maybe me making these comments might make them change their mind.”
Gatland is flying to New Zealand immediately on a scouting mission, leaving Rob Howley to assume control of the Wales national side. ”I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we had the ability to go to New Zealand and win,” Gatland said. “If there are people, players or coaches who believe we haven’t got a chance, put your hands up now and don’t get on the plane. We have to go there believing we can be successful.”
