50% Off! Beat the market in 2025 with InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Rugby-Coach Gatland says Lions captain Jones must earn starting berth

Published 06/05/2021, 11:13 pm
Updated 06/05/2021, 11:18 pm

May 6 (Reuters) - Coach Warren Gatland has warned British & Irish Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones he will have to prove his form if he is to be selected for the tests against world champions South Africa, and that the armband is no guarantee of a starting berth.

Lock Jones was unveiled as skipper for the July 3-Aug. 7 tour that is scheduled to include three matches against the Springboks, and takes over from compatriot Sam Warburton, who led the side under Gatland in 2013 and 2017.

"The conversation (with Jones) was, and this was the same with Sam Warburton on a couple of occasions, that your form has to be good enough to be selected in the test side. It is a great honour to be tour captain, but you have to play well," Gatland said at the squad announcement on Thursday.

Jones initially missed Gatland's telephone call on Sunday and the coach admits it was an anxious few hours wait to hear from the Wales skipper, who is the most capped player in international rugby with 157 appearances.

"I did panic for a few hours before he rang me back! But it was a great conversation, a little bit of apprehension I think, realising the responsibility and privilege to be able to do that (captain the side). He has done a great job in the last few years for Wales."

Warburton had previously said he felt Jones might struggle to make the starting team and suggested England's Maro Itoje was the best pick for captain. who said squad selection was "subjective", made a number of surprise omissions, including Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton, and England prop Kyle Sinckler, centre Manu Tuilagi and number eight Billy Vunipola.

Instead, Sam Simmonds, who has not played a test for England since 2018, was named in the squad in place of Vunipola.

"There were a lot of factors to take into consideration, you are looking at form from the Six Nations, players who have performed for you in the past.

"Players who have won trophies and championships at club level, and then some younger players that you feel you can develop on the tour.

"You want a squad that is going to be competitive, but also play some good rugby and look to improve as the tour goes on."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.