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A Scot and three Welshmen: A look at Warren Gatland's 2021 Lions coaching staff
By PA
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has unveiled the coaches who will work alongside him on the 2021 tour to South Africa in July. Here, the PA news agency looks at the appointments and their records:
WARREN GATLAND
Nationality: New Zealander
Age: 57
Current job: Chiefs head coach
Lions role: Head coach
Lions history: Head coach for the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours. Assistant coach in 2009
Test caps: None
Club playing career: Waikato
Form guide: Among the finest coaches in rugby history. Had domestic and European success with Wasps after being with Ireland and he took charge of Wales in 2008, winning a Six Nations Grand Slam in his first season. Further titles and Grand Slams followed, plus two World Cup semi-final appearances. Was at the helm for a Lions series win against Australia eight years ago and the drawn series with then world champions New Zealand in 2017.
GREGOR TOWNSEND
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 47
Current job: Scotland head coach
Lions role: Assistant coach (attack)
Lions history: Two Tests as a player, 1997 tour of South Africa
Test caps: 82 for Scotland (1993-2003)
Club playing career: Northampton, Brive, Castres, Border Reivers, Montpellier
Form guide: Impressive. Masterminded Scotland away victories over England, a first since 1983, and France, ending a 22-year wait, during this season’s Guinness Six Nations. Undoubtedly a Lions scholar of the great Ian McGeechan, there is nothing not to like about Townsend’s appointment.
ROBIN McBRYDE
Nationality: Welsh
Age: 50
Current job: Leinster forwards coach
Lions role: Assistant coach (forwards)
Lions history: Four appearances as a player, 2001 tour of Australia
Test caps: 37 for Wales (1994-2005)
Club playing career: Swansea, Llanelli, Scarlets
Form guide: Excellent. Was part of Gatland’s coaching furniture when the New Zealander led Wales through an era of Six Nations title triumphs, Grand Slams and World Cup semi-final appearances. McBryde goes about his business without fuss or bother and he is now an integral part of Leinster’s push for a record fifth European title this season.
STEVE TANDY
Nationality: Welsh
Age: 41
Current job: Scotland defence coach
Lions role: Assistant coach (defence)
Lions history: None
Test caps: None
Club playing career: Neath, Ospreys
Form guide: Strong. Welshman Tandy might be the biggest Lions selection bolter of all this time around, but Gatland will know his coaching quality well from a six-year stint as Ospreys boss. Developed further during a coaching stint with Super Rugby side the Waratahs in Australia, and Scotland are reaping the benefits.
NEIL JENKINS
Nationality: Welsh
Age: 49
Current job: Wales assistant coach
Lions role: Assistant coach (kicking)
Lions history: Four Tests as a player, 1997 tour of South Africa, 2001 tour of Australia. Assistant coach on 2009, 2013 and 2017 tours
Test caps: 87 for Wales (1991-2002)
Club playing career: Pontypridd, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors
Form guide: Top-notch. Like McBryde, Jenkins was one of Gatland’s right-hand men for more than eleven years with Wales, coaching the kickers to an impeccable standard and also offering skills expertise. Scored more than 1,000 points for Wales during his Test career. Was also pivotal to the Lions’ memorable 1997 Test series victory over South Africa.
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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